Karmal was sent abroad as Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. In August 1978, Taraki and Amin claimed to have uncovered a plot and executed or imprisoned several cabinet members, even imprisoning General Abdul Qadir, the military leader of the Saur Revolution until the Soviet invasion and subsequent change in leadership in late 1979.
Karmal was dispatched overseas as Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. In August 1978, Taraki and Amin asserted they had discovered a conspiracy and either executed or imprisoned several high-ranking cabinet officials, including General Abdul Qadir, the military commander of the Saur Revolution until the Soviet invasion and subsequent shift in leadership in late 1979.