US vacated Shamsi base after 10 years
539 viewsBy jazbablog - Sun Dec 11, 5:48 pm
RAWALPINDI: The army Sunday confirmed that the U.S. has vacated Shamsi airbase in Balochistan province, while meeting the deadline given Pakistan.
“Last flight carrying left over US Personnel and Equipment departed Shamsi Base today and the Base has been completely vacated. The control of the Base has been taken over by the Army,” an ISPR statement.
According to media reports, officials of Pakistani Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry also arrived at the airbase to take its full control.
Three days earlier, US had shifted five drone aircraft from Shamsi airbase to Afghanistan. US officials also dismantled residential barracks which had been set up for the military personnel.
Located in Balochistan, the Shamsi airbase was built in 1992 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the then ruler of the United Arab Emirates. The Arabs sheikh used the base for small aircrafts.
Till 2009, Shamsi airbase was unknown to majority of the people but the revelations of the US forces presence in the base attracted people attentions, though, both Pakistani and US officials were denying the forces presence till the date.
US took control of the air base in 2001 as it felt its need for war on terror and extended its runways for heavy aircrafts. Since then it was used for military purpose and as operative base of drones.
After NATO raid on November 26 against Pakistani posts killing 24 soldiers and wounding 16 others, Pak-US relations came under tension. Pakistani Defence Cabinet Committee decided vacation of it by US forces.
After the 9/11 incident the former president Pervez Musharraf government had allowed the US to use some Pakistani airbases including Dalbandin and Shamsi.
A deadline should also be given to the terrorists for ceasing their activities and handing themselves to the authorities.