Amidst the escalating Talibani offensive in Afghanistan, a Mi-35 assault helicopter gifted by India to the Afghan forces has been captured by the Talibani terrorists. The Russian-designed Mi-35 Hind assault gunship was seized by the Taliban after it seized management of Kunduz airport in northern Afghanistan from Afghan forces.
Videos and images have emerged from the captured airport displaying Taliban fighters guarding the gunship. However, the rotor blades and very important elements of the engines of the helicopter seem like lacking. A more in-depth examination of the video and the picture exhibits that the rotor blades have been saved on the bottom, under the helicopter.
According to Defence analyst Joseph Dempsey, on July 14, the satellite tv for pc picture confirmed a Mi-35 assault helicopter parked on the Kunduz hangar with its rotor blades intact, however the picture that was clicked yesterday, i.e August 10, confirmed the helicopter with out its rotor blades. Therefore, it’s being speculated that the Afghan forces eliminated the elements from the helicopter anticipating defeat to the Taliban forces.
It can also be being speculated that apart from eradicating its rotor blades, the Afghan air power personnel additionally should have incapacitated the helicopter by denuding it of its fight capabilities and engine. However, it can’t be independently verified. The picture of Talibani terrorists standing beside the helicopter additionally exhibits disassembled rotor blades saved in its neighborhood. According to Indian defence professional Manu Pubby, it’s attainable that Afghan Air Force was utilizing the airframe to scavenge elements to restore different helicopters.
Taliban had reportedly this week took management of the northeastern metropolis of Kunduz, with the Afghan forces answerable for the airport and the military base. Kunduz, a strategic city lies on the gateway of northern provinces and Central Asia. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated its forces have been near the airport. Today, the Talibani terrorists overran the airport and snatched its management from the Afghan forces, together with the native military headquarters on the Kunduz airport.
According to social media customers, one civilian airplane was additionally current on the airport. The headquarters of the Afghan National Army’s 217th Corps is positioned on the airport, which is now below Taliban management. According to experiences, a whole lot of Afghan troopers and law enforcement officials surrendered to the Taliban.
India presents 4 Mi-35s to Afghan Air Force
India in October 2019 had handed over the second pair of Mi-24V helicopters, also referred to as Mi-35 to war-torn Afghanistan, boosting the aptitude of the Afghan forces. India had delivered the primary two Mi-24Vs in May 2018. The 4 new helicopter gunships have been a substitute for 4 assault helicopters gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015 and 2016. However, these weren’t Indian Air Force helicopters. They have been refurbished helicopters bought from Belarus.
Mi-24V are close-air help helicopters fitted with a YakB four-barreled, 12.7mm, built-in, flexibly mounted machine gun, in addition to rocket and grenade launchers.