Hunt for Afghan’s first Prez body, killed 30 yrs ago

Several of his relatives were killed, including one daughter and several women and children, although the number is not clear. Their remains have never been recovered.

The commission appointed to find them is headed by national intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh and include representatives of the interior, defence and culture ministries, statement from Karzai’s office said.

A member of Khan’s family, Nadi Naemi, is also in the team, it said.

The commission, appointed out of “respect for the national figure”, was tasked with searching for the remains of the dead and drawing up a proposal for the construction of a mausoleum for them, it said.

They had a month to report to Karzai.

Khan himself came to power in a coup when he overthrew his cousin Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan.

A moderate who tried to counter the influence of Islamists, Khan abolished the monarchy and established a republic, introducing reforms and eventually favouring relations with the West over the Soviet Union.