Indian Aircraft Takes Off From Kabul, Evacuates More Than 120 Officials Amid Rising Tension In Afghanistan

Amid the rising humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, India evacuated its embassy in Kabul. A special Air Force plane is getting back the country’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, other officials & ITBP troops. Reportedly, Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft has taken off from Kabul with more than 120 Indian officials in it. Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson, Ministry Of External Affairs, shared the helpline number, 919717785379 -as well as the email address to coordinate repatriation. In a late-night tweet, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said he "discussed" latest developments with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He said he "underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul.” On August 16, a NOTAM (notice to airmen) was issued advising incoming and transiting civilian aircraft to reroute before entering Afghanistan’s airspace. NOTAM said the airspace has been released to the military and that civil aircraft entering the airspace will not get assistance from Kabul ATC. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan led to distressing scenes at the Kabul airport. Thousands swarmed the airport to flee the country after Taliban took over the presidential palace and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.