Last Batch Of 43 IMA Cadets From Afghanistan

The 43 Afghan cadets who will march with their Indian batch mates at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun during the next passing out parade (POP) would most likely be the final Afghans at the premier defence college.

The Afghan National Army has been defunct since the Taliban took power in August of last year, thereby putting an end to any future training opportunities for Afghan cadets.

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, last year, there were 83 Afghan Gentleman Cadets (GCs) at IMA. 40 of them graduated from the academy in December of last year, while the remaining 43 will do so on June 11 in a parade.

“No new cadets came to IMA for training after the country’s political transition,” an IMA official who requested anonymity told TOI. “The remaining cadets who finished their training at the academy will finish their course this week,” he continued.

The future of these cadets appears to be in jeopardy, as the IMA has yet to hear from “concerned, relevant authorities.”

“We have received no formal communication concerning these cadets from Afghan or Indian officials as of yet. However, we are confident that all involved will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and security “TOI spoke with an official from the IMA.

In February, following reports of Taliban detention and execution of Afghan National Defense Security Forces personnel, the Indian defence ministry facilitated a longer stay for nearly 80 Afghan cadets from various Indian military training institutions by providing them with a 12-month English training course through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.

This arose after Afghan cadets refused to return home after the Taliban re-entered the country. Some of them sought refuge in India, the United States, and other Western countries.

Meanwhile, Lt Col Himani Pant, the IMA’s public relations officer, informed TOI, “On June 11, a total of 377 GCs, including 89 international GCs, will graduate from the POP. The reviewing officer for the POP will be Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Bhinder. He is the Indian Army’s South Western Command’s General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.”