Hijacking of the American three helicopters by Taliban in FATA area could be surprising for many and the Americans but not so for the few who would have been surprised had such an incidence
Heli Hijacking
Hijacking of the American three helicopters by Taliban in FATA area could be surprising for many and the Americans but not so for the few who would have been surprised had such an incidence not taken place. It is an open secret that lots of sealed and locked huge containers carry American logistics and military hardware goods to Afghanistan through Pakistan. These containers are not allowed to be examined by any customs, for the fear of revealing their contents, and are said to be equipped with the GPS (Global Positioning System) to monitor their movement minutely. They are also provided with the security personnel, which however, as seen is not very effective. Some not so well informed ask as to what will Taliban do with the hijacked helicopters. As any one could guess, sell them to some foreign country in need of acquiring higher aero-technology or dismantle them like stolen cars and sell their parts. However, not many may think that they could fly them against the NATO forces for aerial operations, unless they know of the versatility of the Pathans.
During October 2005 earth quack many Chinooks helicopters came to Pakistan and one must admit very gratefully that they did a tremendous relief job. They used to arrive at Chaklala airport in huge USAF transport aircraft and ferried by large trailers to Qasim airfield at Dhamial, Rawalpindi by the private transporters mostly Pathans. One night the driver of one such trailers lost his way between Chaklala and Dhamial and was roaming all over the city. Finally "“ thanks to modern technology "“ he got in touch with his boss over his mobile phone and asked for the directions. Having corrected his bearings and feeling confident to make to the destination, he enquired from the boss ," Iss ke par jodney hain ya aise hi dena hai?". (Are the rotor blades to be assembled and fixed or is it to be delivered as it is"? ) Who say that the installing of the rotor blades of a Chinook was a highly technical affair requiring precise angles of fixation with proper torque and balancing?
Moral of the story. If an ordinary trailer driver can install the rotor blades of a Chinook, can't a little more technical Taliban fly it too?
Truly
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
30, Westridge-1
Rawalpindi 46000
Tel: (051) 546 3344