Chaos worsening at airport, two Indian flights with 350 on board take off from Kabul

Their departure delayed because of the chaos at the Kabul airport and the deteriorating situation in the city which fell to the Taliban last Sunday, two Indian evacuation flights flew out around 350 people Saturday. The flights, sources said, are expected to land in India in the early hours of Sunday.

Sources said the departures were delayed owing to “logistics issues” at Kabul airport — it is still under the control of US forces. There is chaos outside the airport with the Taliban controlling the access points.

The first two evacuation flights, operated with IAF C-17 aircraft, flew out around 200 people — over 40 last Monday, and around 150 people, including Indian diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indian nationals, Tuesday. These missions were accomplished with US support.