Taliban Seizes Chopper Gifted By India To Afghanistan, Takes Control Of Airport in Kunduz

<p><strong>New Delhi: </strong>The Taliban has reportedly seized one of the four attack helicopters donated by India to Afghanistan in 2019.</p> <p>This took place after the Taliban, as part of its offensive against Afghan President Ashraf Ghani&rsquo;s administration, overpowered the airport in Kunduz, which is located in the northern province.</p> <p>The Taliban were seen on social media posing next to an Mi-24 attack helicopter, livemint reported.</p> <p>India had gifted the four Mi-24V attack choppers to the Afghan Air Force along with three Cheetah Light Utility Helicopters.</p> <p>The Mi-24V attack helicopter was among the four helicopters given in 2019 under a deal between Afghanistan and Belarus, but financed by India.</p> <p><strong>READ</strong>: <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/3jDIqAR To Evacuate All Diplomats From Afghanistan's Mazar-e-Sharif Amid Tensions With Taliban</a></strong></p> <p>Amid withdrawal of foreign troops, the Taliban fighters have captured eight provincial capitals.</p> <p>The capture of the Indian chopper gifted to Afghanistan also comes at a time when the Afghan government has requested &ldquo;robust air support&rdquo; from New Delhi.</p> <p>India has asked all Indian nationals to immediately return home before commercial air services are discontinued amid intense fighting between security forces and the Taliban across the war-torn country.</p> <p>The Indian companies operating in Afghanistan have been issued advisory to immediately withdraw the Indian employees from project sites before air services get discontinued.</p> <p>Significantly, India has already withdrawn its diplomats and staff from the consulate in Kandahar in view of the increasing violence in Afghanistan.</p>