Pakistan security forces on Sunday took full control of the Shamsi Airbase after US military personnel vacated the facility, in line with the demand from the Pakistan government. The government had given December 1, 2011, deadline to US administration to vacate the Airbase in the wake of November 26, 2011 unprovoked Nato air strikes on two Pakistani posts in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers were killed.
The Shamsi Airbase is located in Washak district of Balochistan province. The last flight, carrying leftover US personnel and equipment departed from the Base on Sunday, and the Base has now been completely vacated. The control of the Base has been taken over by the Army.
Pakistan's Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry officials also reached the Airbase to take full control.
The US had earlier shifted five drone aircraft from the Airbase to Afghanistan, and US personnel dismantled the residential barracks which had been set up for the military personnel.
Former president General Pervez Musharraf's (retd) government had allowed the US to use two airbases, Dalbandin and Shamsi, in Balochistan for drone attacks in tribal areas of Pakistan against terrorists after the 9/11 incident.
The Shamsi Airbase was built in 1992 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of the UAE. The US had been using the airbase since late 2001 for military operations in Afghanistan as well as drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal belt against militants.
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