New Delhi: Indian Army`s Intelligence Chief
visited Afghanistan in an effort to assess Afghan military
capability to manage their nation`s security with the NATO
forces already working on their pull out plan.
"Director General of Military Intelligence Lt Gen R K
Loomba was in Afghanistan last week to meet officers of the
Afghan National Army (ANA) and International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) of the NATO countries," an Army
officer said today.
Loomba made the quiet trip to Kabul and visited ANA
headquarters, where he met senior officers and also held talks
with ISAF commanders, they said here.
The visit comes in the wake of the US announcing "a surge
and exit policy" beginning 2011 for Afghanistan, which has
witnessed the war on terror against al-Qeada and the Taliban
for over eight years following the 9/11 terror attacks.
Loomba`s trip comes ahead of an official tour by Richard
Holbrooke, US President`s special envoy for Afghanistan and
Pakistan, to Delhi from tomorrow along with US Defence
Secretary Robert Gates.
The Army is already present in Afghanistan imparting
training to ANA officers at its defence institutions,
preparing them for a possible exit by ISAF.
Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor had told reporters
during his annual media interaction here on Thursday that
Indian military instructors were also providing English
language training to the ANA officers.
He had also stated that India wanted a strong ANA that
could manage the country`s security affairs as and when the
ISAF troops pull out.
PTI
