ISLAMABAD: The
Taliban are urging
India to stop giving lethal
military equipment to the Afghan government, condemning it as a “clear hostility” towards the war-torn nation.
In its first public reaction to New Delhi’s growing
military cooperation with Kabul, the Islamist insurgency alleged Indian aircraft and equipment are being used to kill Afghans and destroy their homes as well as other civilian infrastructure.
“The Islamic Emirate [the Taliban] condemns this action with the strongest of terms,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesman for the Taliban, in a statement issued on Sunday.
India recently transferred four Russian-made Mi-25 attack helicopters to boost the Afghan Air Force’s ability to assist ground troops fighting
Taliban insurgents, and it trains hundreds of Afghan soldiers each year in its
military academy.
“We call on
India to stop exporting items of killing and destruction to Afghanistan and to stop efforts of prolonging the lifespan of this corrupt regime with its
military aid,” Mujahid added.
He accused the Afghan forces of using Indian attack helicopters to destroy a key bridge during recent fighting in the volatile **rthern Kunduz province. “This can**t be interpreted as anything other than enmity with the Afghans and shall arouse hatred of the people of Afghanistan,” asserted the
Taliban spokesman.
Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson traveled to New Delhi last month to urge Indian officials there to enhance
military aid to Kabul. “I k**w that they [Afghan authorities] have asked for more of these helicopters. There is an immediate need for more. When these aircraft come in, they immediately get into the fight,” Nicholson told reporters during his August 10 visit.
US, Afghan and Indian officials allege the Pakistan military’s intelligence agency covertly supports the
Taliban insurgency and allows it to use sanctuaries on Pakistani soil to plot attacks in Afghanistan, charges Islamabad rejects.
Afghan army chief General Quadam Shah Shahim visited
India last week to seek enhanced bilateral defence ties besides asking for more
military equipment, particularly Mi-25 helicopters.
India has contributed $2 billion in eco**mic assistance for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan since the ouster of the
Taliban from power in 2001.
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