According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, an Afghan military jet was shot down after crossing the border
NEW DELHI — As the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan announced on Monday that it “forced landing” 46 Afghan aircraft that had crossed into its territory.
According to officials, hundreds of Afghan soldiers escaped to Uzbekistan with 22 military planes and 24 helicopters last weekend, including 46 Afghan aircraft and one aircraft that crashed with an escorting Uzbek fighter jet, forcing both to crash, according to a statement released late Monday by Daily Sabah.
According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, apart from 46 Afghan aircraft, an Afghan military plane was also shot down after crossing the border.
The Uzbek prosecutor general’s office stated in a statement quoted by the Turkish media source that 585 Afghan soldiers came by plane and 158 more crossed the border on foot on Sunday.
Dramatic changes unfolding in war-torn Afghanistan
After leaving the country as the Taliban entered the capital, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani said on August 15 (Sunday) that the Taliban have won with the use of their swords and guns and are now responsible for the honour, property, and self-preservation of the people of Afghanistan.
He also said that he wanted to avoid “bloodshed,” so he left the country.
On August 15, the Taliban stormed Kabul and took possession of the presidential palace.
According to local media sources, Taliban commanders have been meeting in Doha to discuss future government plans after taking control of Kabul.
Fears of a return to the Taliban’s ruthless rule, as well as the possibility of retaliation killings, have gripped the Afghan capital.
On August 16 morning, thousands of Afghans swarmed the tarmac, crowding around a departing US military jet as it taxied down the runway.
‘Ambassador and staff in Kabul moving to India immediately’
In light of the current situation in Afghanistan, the Indian Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will return to India immediately, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
In light of the current circumstances, in a tweet, India’s Ambassador in Kabul and his staff have been ordered to move to India, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.
Meanwhile, sources cited by news agency ANI claim that an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying more than 120 Indian officials has departed from Kabul. On Monday evening, they were securely transported inside the airport’s security facilities.
According to reports, India is closely following the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan and will decide whether or not to evacuate diplomatic employees from Kabul.
It is pertinent to mention here that Afghanistan’s government fell on Sunday, with President Ashraf Ghani fleeing the country.
