India sends special plane to fly back bodies from Afghanistan

India on Saturday sent a special aircraft to Afghanistan to bring back bodies of its nationals, including Army officials, who were killed in suicide attacks in Kabul.

A Boeing 737-200 aircraft from the Palam-based Communication squadron took off from here on Saturday morning to bring back all dead bodies and those injured, IAF officials said here. The aircraft is carrying a team of medical officers and medicines.

A team of Army officers and officials from the Ministry of External Affairs have also gone to Kabul to review the security situation there in the backdrop of the attacks on Friday.

At least nine Indians were among 17 people killed as Taliban suicide bombers carried out a string of attacks in the heart of Kabul, targeting Indian interests in Afghanistan.

The Indians, who died in the incident, include two Army officers, government officials, an ITBP constable and a tabla player who was part of a cultural delegation to Afghanistan.

Five other Army officers were also injured in the attack.

The bombers struck at a number of guest houses, particularly at Park Residence, rented out by the Indian Embassy for its staffers and those linked to India’s developmental work in Afghanistan.