Kashmir Digits

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India to ask for the resumption of commercial flights between India and Afghanistan (Kabul).

A letter from the hardline group was sent to the DGCA earlier this month, and is under review by the Civil Aviation Ministry, news agency ANI reported.

Addressed to DGCA chief Arun Kumar, the letter says the Kabul airport – “left damaged and dysfunctional by American troops before their withdrawal” – had become operational with help from Qatar, and that a NOTAM (notice to airmen) in this regard had been issued on September 6.

“The intention of this letter is to keep smooth passenger movement between the two countries based on signed MoU and our National Carriers (Ariana Afghan Airline & Kam Air) aimed to commence scheduled flights. Therefore, Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority requests you to facilitate commercial flights,” acting Aviation Minister Alhaj Hameedullah Akhunzada wrote.

India had stopped all commercial flight operations to Kabul after August 15, when the Taliban swept into the Afghan capital and took effective control of the war-torn country.

On September 13 an international commercial flight – a Pakistan International Airlines plane – became the first passenger jet to fly in and out of Kabul in over a month.

Taliban spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi told news agency Reuters suspension of international flights had left Afghans stranded abroad and prevented people from travelling for work or study.