New Delhi

Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the head of the Taliban's political office, and a key functionary of the Group that has taken over Afghanistan, is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and those who know him say he could be a connection between India and the new rulers of Afghanistan.

According to Sandy Thappar, a veteran who was training along with Stankizai at the IMA in 1982, ‘Sheru (the Afghan leader’s pet name at the academy)was not a fanatic back then. Thapar said, “Generally the Afghans are favourably predisposed towards India – in terms of music, Bollywood  our culture etc and I believe Sheru should have no reason to be different.”

He shared some pictures of Stanikzai as a cadet of IMA on Twitter and also spoke to the media about him. Thapar says ‘Sheru has spent nearly two years in India as a cadet of IMA and, therefore, must have good memories about the country.”

Mohammad Abbas Stankizai alias Sheru, standing first from left, during his IMA training (Pic Courtesy: Twitter page of Sandy Thapar)

Though he is not sure if the rigorous indoctrination of the Taliban has changed his ideas in 40 years or maybe he deliberately wants to olbliterate those, Sandy Thapar says “ I am not sure if his ideas have changed in 40 years but there is no harm in contacting him.”

He says none of his batchmates may be in touch with him yet there is no harm in exploring the possibility of reconnecting with him since he holds a top position in the Taliban.

Another Veteran Major General (retd) DA Chaturvedi told the media that at the IMA, Sheru was a friendly, and regular cadet.

According to media reports, 'Sheru' had joined the IMA of Dehradun in 1982 when he was 20 years old. Retired Colonel Kesar Singh Shekhawat said that he had accompanied him in many campaigns of the Academy. Sheru used to carry a picture of an Afghan in his trunk.

Mohammad Abbas Stankizai alias Sheru, standing first from left, as member of the football team of IMA  (Pic Courtesy:Twitter page of Sandy Thapar)

He also served as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was instrumental in conducting diplomatic talks between the then US President Bill Clinton and the Taliban. In 2015, he was appointed as head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar.