"Our planes in
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan should be returned. We will not allow these planes to
remain in other countries or be used by them" Yaqoob stated, according to
Business Standard. He added that if neighbouring countries do not meet their
demands, the Taliban will take "retaliatory steps" to return the
aircraft.
Afghan Air Force
pilots fleeing Afghanistan flew a sizable portion of the Afghan Air Force,
including Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and Sikorsky UH-60
Black Hawk helicopters. According to Yaqoob, there are still 46 aircraft in
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
He also appealed to
the pilots, saying, "They would not be honoured in foreign
countries." We will respect them. They are our country's treasure." Since
the beginning of the defections, many pilots have been deported from the
countries they fled, while the aircraft has remained.
