خلوان های دختر افغانستان

AFGHAN WOMAN PILOT WALKS WITH THE SETTING SUN

Col Lailuma, an Afghan woman pilot died overnight during her first delivery, thus reducing the number of pilots to one in the country. She passed away in the age of 36. Col Lailuma was working with the defence ministry's air force as helicopter pilot since 1990, however she detached from the profession during the Taliban regime.

With the death of Col Lailuma, the number of women pilots in this war-battered country reduced to one. She was laid to rest on Wednesday at Deh Kipak graveyard here. Lailuma was born to an educated family in Shirin Tagab district of the northern Faryab province 36 years ago. Earlier, she had told Pajhwok Afghan News she had carried out many flights, as reaching 900 hours in the air during her life. The deceased joined the military university's air force section in 1988, studying for two years along with her sister.

Nazar Muhammad Piloot, a colleague and former classmate of Lailuma, said the deceased showed great courage during the past 16 years as they worked together.

Gen Amir Jan, another colleague of Lailuma, termed departure of 'the brave pilot' as a big loss to the Afghan air force, especially as there were just two active women pilots in Afghanistan. Commander of the air force regiment Gen Humayoon Fawzi and other officials attended the funeral.