Military biometric devices, helicopters: List of expensive captures by Taliban

#Afghanistan #Taliban #UnitedStates

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan just two weeks before the US troops withdrawal
US military biometrics devices, which could aid in the identification of Afghans, is now with the Taliban
There are videos of Taliban fighters seizing weapons caches

Written By:Chandandeep

Updated: August 18 2021 09:01:06 PM ET Kabul, Afghanistan

The Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan just two weeks before the US troops withdrawal after two-decade war, has captured all major cities in the country, including Kabul. The takeover led to fall of the Afghan government and former president Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday.

According to News 18, the Taliban have captured some expensive weapons. Here’s a look at some of them:

US military biometrics devices, which could aid in the identification of Afghans who assisted coalition forces, is now with the Taliban. The devices, known as HIIDE, for Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment, were seized while the Taliban were making advances last week, a report in The Intercept said.

Also Read| Wait and watch is India’s policy on Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

According to the video circulating on social media, the Taliban fighters, in northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, captured prominent Afghan warlord and US ally- General Abdul Rashid Dostum, property. 67-year-old General Dostum is one of the most notorious strongmen in Afghanistan and Taliban considers him to be their fiercest enemies, according to Al Arabiya.

Also read: All about Sharia law that Taliban will enforce in Afghanistan

There are videos of Taliban fighters seizing weapons caches and roaming freely in different provinces. Footage of Afghan soldiers surrendering in the northern city of Kunduz shows army vehicles loaded with heavy weapons and mounted with artillery guns safely in the hands of the insurgent rank and file.

Also read: Tortured, flung off plane, All about Abdul Mazari whose statue Taliban blew up

The fighters have also captured US-made Afghan military helicopters at Kandahar airport, AFP reported. A video on social media shows an insurgent walking around a US-made Black Hawk military helicopter and another one can be seen on the tarmac. They have also seized one of the four attack helicopters that India donated to Afghanistan. Pictures and videos of Taliban cadres standing next to a Mi-24 attack helicopter are going viral on the social media.