Chennai: Eleven months ago, seven people from the Afghan National Army (ANA) walked to the Academy Training Officer (OTA) in Chennai with dreams of serving their country as a military officer.
On Saturday, they fainted from the academy, staring at uncertainty.
On August 15, when Indian colleagues celebrated independence day, Afghan cadets witnessed despair in their country’s visual television fell to the Taliban.
But they underwent tight training, did not know where they would go so they became officers.
An OTA officer told the Toi that the Afghan cadet would be sent to the country’s embassy in Delhi, but no one was confident about their prospects of a safe return since India had not set a diplomatic liaison with the Taliban regime.
Thought in the Ana military uniform, officers were among 25 of the friendly foreign countries undergoing training.
Young officers greet their Indian friends, click on the picture on their cellphone and say goodbye.
A Afghan officer told Ti that he was in contact with his parents in Afghanistan.
“I’m not sure how to come back and what will happen if I go there,” the officer said.
Asked whether he would get their visa to stay in India, another officer said he didn’t realize such a step.
Ti held their names and photos remembering their safety.
“They departed from Chennai on Sunday for their embassies,” said a senior military officer.
Meanwhile, Indian government sources said Afghan officers would be asked whether they wanted to return home.
“If they say no, their visa will be extended,” said an officer.
The source said that Afghan cadets may have submitted a visa application for other countries.
Seven cadets could be the last batch of the Afghan military to be trained in OTA during the Taliban remained in power in the country.
Earlier this year, 20 female officers Ana participated in a six-week rifle training in OTA.
The group was a fourth female officer batch from Afghanistan.