Exclusive: Getting ready for offensive against Taliban, says General Asadullah, Bagram airfield's new commander
General Mir Asadullah Kohistani
GeneralMir Asadullah Kohistani, the new commander of the Bagram airfield has said that his forces are getting ready for an offensive against the Talibaneven as the militants makerapid advances in the country.
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Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Asadullah spoke on Americans leaving Bagram without any information. He said, "We had done the initial plan and coordinated but on Friday morning, we heard that US troops had left Bagram. We were not aware about it."
Bagram airfield was the largest USmilitary base in Afghanistan and a symbol of American presence in the country.
WION: What is the current situation at the Bagram airfield?
GeneralMir Asadullah Kohistani: Right now, the situation is completely normal. All our troops are deployed inside and outside. Our patrol is going on, we don't have any problem so far.
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WION: Americans never informed youthat they are leaving?
Gen. Mir Asadullah Kohistani: We had done the initial plan and coordinated with them regarding deployment and safety and security out of Bagram.
We completed it on Thursday nightbut on Friday morningwe heard that US troops had left Bagram. We were not aware about it. I think this is because of the phased departure they did not inform us for their safetyandtook their own security measures.
They did not inform usbut the main point was everyone understood that all the Afghan National Army units were secureand there is no threat from outside orinside in Bagram.
WION: Have you reached out to the Americans onreasons why they left like this?
GeneralMir Asadullah Kohistani: The last contact with them was on Thursday night at 7:30 pmand after that contactpoint was cut off we didn't haveany contact with them.
WION: What is the current situation related to advances by the Taliban? Will Kabul fall?
GeneralMir Asadullah Kohistani: Everybody knowswe are involved in fourdecades of war. We fully understand we will take back all the area which is economicallyand strategically important.
The Afghan Army is a responsible force and is getting ready for offensive operation and as soon as possible we will start our offensiveoperation to change the situation.