Haji Latif fought for the National Islamic Front (Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami) against the Communists. He was martyred on August 8, 1989, by means of poisoning in Kandahar Province. Haji Latif was over 80 years old. Latif was remarkable on the battlefield, so much that he was nicknamed, “Lion of Kandahar”. He was more successful than Commanders half his age.