Evacuation: Seven aircraft land at Shamsi base
Sources also reported that that some equipment was loaded onto the aircraft.
QUETTA:
At least seven aircraft landed at Shamsi airbase in Balochistan on Wednesday to airlift personnel and equipment out of Pakistan. According to sources in Washuk district, American officials were likely to vacate the airbase today (Thursday).
“Seven aircraft have landed here since morning,” a local confirmed, adding, “They also set several containers on fire today ... the containers were used by American officials.”
Sources also reported that that some equipment was loaded onto the aircraft. However, drones stood in nearby hangars and an American radar was also visible that had so far not been shifted.
No US official was available to comment on whether American will vacate the airbase on Thursday.
The controversial airbase, located about 300 kilometres south of Quetta, has been used as a key launch pad for drone strikes in Afghanistan and allegedly also for those carried out in Pakistan’s own tribal areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2011.
At least seven aircraft landed at Shamsi airbase in Balochistan on Wednesday to airlift personnel and equipment out of Pakistan. According to sources in Washuk district, American officials were likely to vacate the airbase today (Thursday).
“Seven aircraft have landed here since morning,” a local confirmed, adding, “They also set several containers on fire today ... the containers were used by American officials.”
Sources also reported that that some equipment was loaded onto the aircraft. However, drones stood in nearby hangars and an American radar was also visible that had so far not been shifted.
No US official was available to comment on whether American will vacate the airbase on Thursday.
The controversial airbase, located about 300 kilometres south of Quetta, has been used as a key launch pad for drone strikes in Afghanistan and allegedly also for those carried out in Pakistan’s own tribal areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2011.