Yazman
1st November 2009, 09:47
Source:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KJ29Df01.html
Snippet from source:
MAZAR-E-SHARIF - Persistent accounts of Western forces in Afghanistan using their helicopters to ferry Taliban fighters, strongly denied by the military, is feeding mistrust of the forces that are supposed to be bringing order to the country.
One such tale came from a soldier from the 209th Shahin Corps of the Afghan National Army, fighting against the growing insurgency in Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan. Over several months, he had taken part in several pitched battles against the armed opposition.
"Just when the police and army managed to surround the Taliban in a village of Qala-e-Zaal district, we saw helicopters land with support teams," he said. "They managed to rescue their friends from our encirclement, and even to inflict defeat on the Afghan National Army."
This story, in one form or another, is being repeated throughout northern Afghanistan. Dozens of people claim to have seen Taliban fighters disembark from foreign helicopters in several provinces. The local talk is of the insurgency being consciously moved north, with international troops ferrying fighters in from the volatile south, to create mayhem in a new location.
Helicopters are almost exclusively the domains of foreign forces in Afghanistan; the international military controls the air space and has a virtual monopoly on aircraft. So when Afghans see choppers, they think foreign military.
"Our fight against the Taliban is nonsense," said the soldier from Shahin Corps. "Our foreigner 'friends' are friendlier to the opposition."
This can't be discounted immediately. There are other sources that have reported similar stories lately, although not reputable ones:
http://pakistanthinktank.org/v2/section-table/57-defense/322-uk-army-providing-taliban-with-air-transport
However, there could be something to this after all. It may not been what meets the eye though. The US has been known to operate under similar circumstances before, even going so far as to break international laws and fund and arm not only both sides of a major conflict but also insurgents within both countries.
This blog describes a sale of M-17 transport choppers to the Pakistani military:
http://theasiandefence.blogspot.com/2009/06/us-hands-over-four-cargo-helicopters-to.html
You might at first sight think "well, its just a blog, and unreliable" but I have located a reputable Pakistani news source that verifies this:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/14-us-delivers-four-mi-17-cargo-helicopters-to-the-army-zj-05
Note the following passage:
The additional helicopters are meant to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in current operations against militant extremists, and its efforts to care for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis who have been displaced from their homes by the fighting.
Now, Pakistani choppers are certainly operating in parts of the border, and within Afghanistan itself close by.
Could these "western" choppers reported by Afghans actually be Pakistani choppers? Could pakistan be aiding the taliban? It is entirely possible.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KJ29Df01.html
Snippet from source:
MAZAR-E-SHARIF - Persistent accounts of Western forces in Afghanistan using their helicopters to ferry Taliban fighters, strongly denied by the military, is feeding mistrust of the forces that are supposed to be bringing order to the country.
One such tale came from a soldier from the 209th Shahin Corps of the Afghan National Army, fighting against the growing insurgency in Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan. Over several months, he had taken part in several pitched battles against the armed opposition.
"Just when the police and army managed to surround the Taliban in a village of Qala-e-Zaal district, we saw helicopters land with support teams," he said. "They managed to rescue their friends from our encirclement, and even to inflict defeat on the Afghan National Army."
This story, in one form or another, is being repeated throughout northern Afghanistan. Dozens of people claim to have seen Taliban fighters disembark from foreign helicopters in several provinces. The local talk is of the insurgency being consciously moved north, with international troops ferrying fighters in from the volatile south, to create mayhem in a new location.
Helicopters are almost exclusively the domains of foreign forces in Afghanistan; the international military controls the air space and has a virtual monopoly on aircraft. So when Afghans see choppers, they think foreign military.
"Our fight against the Taliban is nonsense," said the soldier from Shahin Corps. "Our foreigner 'friends' are friendlier to the opposition."
This can't be discounted immediately. There are other sources that have reported similar stories lately, although not reputable ones:
http://pakistanthinktank.org/v2/section-table/57-defense/322-uk-army-providing-taliban-with-air-transport
However, there could be something to this after all. It may not been what meets the eye though. The US has been known to operate under similar circumstances before, even going so far as to break international laws and fund and arm not only both sides of a major conflict but also insurgents within both countries.
This blog describes a sale of M-17 transport choppers to the Pakistani military:
http://theasiandefence.blogspot.com/2009/06/us-hands-over-four-cargo-helicopters-to.html
You might at first sight think "well, its just a blog, and unreliable" but I have located a reputable Pakistani news source that verifies this:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/14-us-delivers-four-mi-17-cargo-helicopters-to-the-army-zj-05
Note the following passage:
The additional helicopters are meant to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in current operations against militant extremists, and its efforts to care for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis who have been displaced from their homes by the fighting.
Now, Pakistani choppers are certainly operating in parts of the border, and within Afghanistan itself close by.
Could these "western" choppers reported by Afghans actually be Pakistani choppers? Could pakistan be aiding the taliban? It is entirely possible.