A former Afghan interpreter said getting on a UK military plane out of Afghanistan was the “happiest moment of my life”. Burhan worked for the British Army. 

He and his family had pleaded to the British government to rescue them from Afghanistan by helping him flee. 

While he is quarantined in a hotel in the UK currently, he said he was “very thankful” for his new life, but called on to the UK to save other interpreters left behind as “they are in danger”.

Talking about how his son is coping with the changes, he said that his son is curious and would like to walk the streets once the quarantine is over. “Happiness is in his face,” said Burhan. 

Also Read | Afghan media gets special citation by Pulitzer board for ‘courageous work’

Burhan fled the country a week before the explosion. He has documented parts of his journey from Kabul airport. “It was dangerous for me and everyone. Everyone was worried about the situation,” he told the BBC. 

The former Afghan interpreter opened up about his feelings when they got on the RAF plane and said, “It was the happiest moment of my life I’ve ever faced.”

He further gave a message to the British government about the Afghan interpreters who are still stuck in the Taliban-controlled state and said, “I demand from them, kindly demand from them to do their best to evacuate those who are left behind in Kabul because they served the British Army and they are in danger. 

The Taliban fighters seized Afghanistan after 20 years of being driven out by the US troops. This was followed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fleeing the country, and leaving the presidential palace to Taliban fighters.

Formed in 1994, the Taliban comprised ex Afghan resistance fighters, collectively known as mujahedeen. In the 1980s, they fought the invading Soviet forces and aimed to force their understanding of Islamic law in the country.