Memoirs of Mohammad Kazem Taqavi

Translated by Kianoush Borzouei

2026-05-27

Brigadier General Mohammad Kazem Taqavi, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard Command of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NAJA), was the guest speaker at the 283rd Night of Reminiscence program held in September 2017. He recounted memories from Operation Fath ol-Mobin. He stated:

“During my high school years, I went to the battlefronts as a Basij volunteer. I had the honor of participating in Operation Fath ol-Mobin. The city of Shush was under direct Iraqi fire, and the enemy was bombarding the city with mortars and various weapons. Apart from the combatants, no civilians remained in the city. It was March 20th, 1982. Enemy intelligence assessments indicated that a major operation was imminent. On the night of the night of March 20th, Iraq launched a diversionary assault in an attempt to scatter Iranian forces and disrupt the planning of the commanders of the Sacred Defense. Yet, by the grace of God, on the night of March 22nd, 1982, Operation Fath ol-Mobin commenced. One of the participating companies was the one in which we served, attached to the 17th Qom Brigade, which later became the Ali ibn Abi Talib Division. In keeping with the custom of the combatants, everyone wrote their wills and bid farewell. We were supposed to become encircled by Iraqi forces so that other fighters could break through the enemy lines more easily. To some extent, this strategy proved successful. A company from the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran was also present. We performed our prayers while on the move. Along the way, I suddenly realized that someone beside me had fallen. He recognized me and called me by name. He said, ‘I’ve been hit.’ I wanted to help evacuate him to the rear lines, but he refused and insisted that I continue my mission. Praise be to God, the mission was accomplished, and the fighters witnessed victory. Several days later, we were transferred to Abuzar Township in Haft Tappeh. I remained worried about that dear comrade and did not know whether he had recovered or attained martyrdom. One night, I saw him entering our quarters in a bent and weakened condition. I was overjoyed to see that he was alive. I asked why he had returned in such a state. He replied: ‘They took me to Tehran for treatment and cared for me for several days. But since I was not granted the blessing of martyrdom, I could not detach myself from the front. That is why I asked them to discharge me in this very condition so that I could rejoin the fighters.’ I witnessed the same spirit firsthand during my service in the Border Guard Command. Toward the end of last year, one of our courageous and capable commanders entered a mine-contaminated area and insisted on advancing of the others. Tragically, he stepped on a mine and lost his leg. At the first opportunity we had to speak with him by telephone, he said: ‘Pray that I may recover quickly and return to be among my comrades once again.’”

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To date, 378 editions of the Night of Reminiscence of the Sacred Defense program have been organized by the Center for Studies and Research on the Culture and Literature of Resistance and the Resistance Literature and Art Office of the Hozeh Honari (Artistic Sect of the Islamic Republic). The next program is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 7 May 28th, 2026.

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