During the US-led campaign against the Taliban, Afghan Air Force pilots were vital allies alongside American forces. In a recent interview with CNN, several pilots chose to remain anonymous, including Tauheed Khan, who reminisced about a moment of pride while flying over his childhood home in Kabul.
Following the conclusion of the 20-year coalition effort against the Taliban in August 2021, Afghan pilots like Khan now find themselves in neighboring Pakistan, grappling with the fear of reprisals if they were to return to an Afghanistan now controlled by the very group they fought against. Complicating their situation are restrictive migration policies in both the US and Pakistan, leaving them with limited time to seek a safe solution before an impending deadline later this month.
The conflict, which began with the US intervention in 2001 post-9/11, took a heavy toll on Afghanistan’s civilian population, with ongoing recovery efforts still underway. The subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces led to the collapse of the Afghan government and military, paving the way for the Taliban’s resurgence to power. Individuals associated with the previous regime are particularly vulnerable under the new Taliban rule, facing risks of extrajudicial actions as documented by Human Rights Watch and the United Nations.
Due to their visibility in the community, many pilots fear retaliation from the Taliban, with reports of targeted attacks resulting in casualties among their ranks. Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, emphasized the sacrifices made by these pilots for the US, underscoring the urgent need for fulfilling promises made to them.
One such pilot, Khapalwaka, shared his experience as an aviation engineer involved in intelligence operations for the Afghan Air Force. His responsibilities included clearing civilian areas prior to US drone strikes, making him a target for local Taliban factions. The precarious situation has forced Khapalwaka to frequently relocate residences in a bid to ensure his safety.
Before the fall of Kabul, for safety reasons, the pilots whom CNN interviewed chose to remain anonymous. Now, Khapalwaka, currently selling wood by the roadside to support his family, fears the Taliban could reach him in Pakistan as well. He expressed concerns about the Taliban having contacts in Pakistan and the potential risks he faces there. His primary desire is to leave the country so that his daughters can have access to education.
The Afghan Taliban refuted claims that former pilots were in danger if they returned, stating they are valued assets and would be treated with respect. Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, emphasized the importance of the pilots’ contributions to the nation.
Khan, who fled to Pakistan in March 2022 following the US withdrawal chaos, recounted his journey and aspirations for resettlement in the US. Despite following the US Refugee Admissions Program procedures, he has faced delays and uncertainty, particularly exacerbated by recent policy changes under President Trump.
The situation has left many Afghans stranded, with thousands awaiting resettlement in the US caught in limbo. Concerns also loom regarding potential travel bans that could further complicate matters for Afghan refugees. The deadline for Afghans in Pakistan to secure their status looms, as the country shifts its policies towards repatriation.
Pakistan, traditionally hosting a large Afghan refugee population, has started enforcing stricter measures, prompting fears among refugees of deportation and uncertain futures. The government’s recent decision to repatriate Afghan nationals awaiting resettlement elsewhere has added to the uncertainty and challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Pakistani officials discovered migrants during a search operation on the outskirts of Karachi on November 17, 2023. Pakistan’s chief commissioner for Afghan refugees, Abbas Khan, expressed to CNN that his country lacks the resources to support migrants in transit. The approaching deadline coincides with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. For Jawad Ahmed, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Afghan Air Force, the days blur together. Fasting for Ramadan, Ahmed shared his concerns about his military past putting his family at risk. Having legally arrived in Pakistan and faced uncertainty for two years, Ahmed underwent interviews with US immigration officials in 2024, but has since received no updates. Witnessing Pakistani police apprehend his Afghan neighbors and fearing for his children, Ahmed described the challenges of returning to Afghanistan as even more perilous. Meanwhile, a US Air Force pilot, assisting former Afghan colleagues, highlighted the dire situation they face in Pakistan and other countries. The pilot emphasized the importance of aiding these Afghan partners and the repercussions of abandoning them. As Eid nears, Tauheed Khan and his group of Afghan pilots dream of a better future, filled with basic necessities and a way out of their current predicament.
