In the Museum of Resistance in Ashraf 3, a section is dedicated to the Eternal Light Operation. This section showcases scenes from this historic battle and honors the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the operation. Among these scenes is the heroic martyrdom of Tahereh Tolou Bidokhti, known as Commander Sara.
Tahereh Tolou Bidokhti, widely known as Commander Sara, was born in 1960 in Damghan. She was a civil engineering student in Shahroud and joined political activities during the anti-monarchical revolution. After the revolution, in 1979, she became a member of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and continued her activism within student and employee committees of the organization in Tehran.
As the clerical regime began its crackdown on the PMOI, Tahereh went underground and took responsibility for leading two resistance cells. In 1982, she was sent abroad and worked for a period at the central office of the Union of Muslim Student Associations in France. She was also one of the organization’s representatives in France, Germany, and Sweden.
Tahereh Tolou participated in the Eternal Light Operation, where she engaged in direct combat against the forces of the clerical regime. After sustaining severe injuries, she was captured and brutally executed. The image of her hanging body at Hassanabad Pass became a symbol of the martyrs of this epic battle. This image left a profound impact on the local population, who praised her bravery and sacrifice.
The tree from which Tahereh Tolou’s body was hung became a symbol of the courage of PMOI women fighting for Iran’s freedom. However, the clerical regime later cut down the tree in an attempt to erase this symbol.
Tahereh Tolou remains an example of the courageous women who gave their lives for freedom and justice. Her memory will forever be honored in the history of the Iranian people’s struggle.
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