80 Foreign Gentleman Cadets (FGCs) of Afghanistan in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun have been kept under strict vigil. The ones in their third term at the academy were called back midway through their training at an undisclosed location soon after the Taliban seized control of Kabul, a source told TOI.
As per the source, the cadets are under strict watch for their safety and were called back from their training, which was taking place in the forests of Uttarakhand.
“All possible support is being given to them. Phones are not provided to cadets according to protocol. But since the crisis, the academy has given phones to each company with an international calling facility for Afghan cadets to stay connected with their kins,” the source said.
“At present, IMA authorities are waiting for directions from the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of defence,” said IMA public relations officer Lt Col Himani Pant.
The cadets, who were to join the Afghan army after graduating in December, face an uncertain future since the Taliban takeover of the country. Over the 150 Afghan military personnel are being trained in the country. Over 150 Afghan military personnel are being trained in India, the majority are in IMA, followed by National Defence Academy, (Khadakwasla) Pune, and OTA (Chennai).
