R Krishna Das
As the strategic transport aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) touched down in Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan late last week, media in neighbouring Pakistan swung into action to analyze the story of sorties.
The Air Base has been located near Kabul and now deserted, a relic of America’s presence in Afghanistan. Just before the final troop left the Base, IAF’s strategic transport carrier C-130 reported took three sorties to Bagram—about 25 km from Kabul.
The official version of the flights to Afghanistan was to evacuate the first group of diplomats and Indian military experts from the country. It was necessitated as the Taliban forces were inching towards the Capital and near-by places, fighting the Afghanistan National Army (ANA). But the media in Pakistan and Afghanistan narrated another story.
The media reported that the IAF aircrafts were on a special mission carried out on Saturday and Sunday. On the request of Afghan Government, it had reportedly dropped 40 tonnes of ammunition of 122-mm cannon and delivered the same consignment the next day. Two C-130 planes were pressed into the service.
The leading Pakistani newspaper claimed that the aircrafts took off from Jaipur and Chandigarh to evacuate Indian officials. It added that Trucks loaded with Indian weapons were also seen on the roads of Kabul. The Afghan National Army uses artillery guns that have a calibre of 122mm.
A state-run media in Pakistan even released the aviation route claiming that the IAF aircrafts took a longer path to avoid Pakistan air space to reach Bagram.
According to Defence experts, India’s ammunition support to Afghanistan is not a new practice. After the mid 90s, India had provided massive military support to Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance that was fighting Taliban militia. Besides arms and ammunition, India had given medicines, combat uniforms and also funds.
Ahmad Massoud, the son of Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud who was assassinated by al Qaeda two days before the 9/11 attacks, recently expressed concern at the prospect of US troops leaving the country, warning that a rushed exit would lead to “civil war” in Afghanistan. He also condemned last year’s deal reached between the US and the Taliban, calling it a mistake.
He is learnt to be giving a tough fight to the Taliban militia who claimed to have occupied over 80 per cent of Afghanistan and are heading towards Kabul to capture the Capital.
