Afghan vice president Field Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, a leading commander in the alliance that fought the Taliban, died on Sunday.
Fahim was 57 year old. Fahim was an ethnic Tajik who was an ally of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the charismatic Northern Alliance commander who was killed in an al-Qaida suicide bombing two days before the September 11, 2001, attacks.
President Hamid Karzai’s office said Fahim died from an illness.
Karzai called Fahim a true patriot and said his death was “a huge loss for Afghanistan.” He also expressed his condolences to the Afghan nation and Fahim’s family.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of the first Vice President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Qasim Fahim, describing him as a close friend of India.
Fahim served as a vice president and defence minister in Karzai’s first administration and most recently was the first of two vice presidents. But he was best remembered as a former warlord who fought against the Soviets when they were occupying the country and went on to battle with Massoud against the Taliban, who were ousted in 2001.
Karzai’s spokesman Aimal Faizi said the government has called for a three-day mourning period and flags would be lowered to half-staff.
Presidential candidate Hedayat Amin Arsala said Fahim’s death “will affect the future political development,” but he didn’t elaborate.
PM condoles Fahim’s death
In his message the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that it is with great sadness that he learnt of the passing away of Marshal Fahim.
“He was a brave and fearless military commander, whose contribution to Afghanistan’s stabilisation and reconstruction after over three decades of war and conflict will always be remembered,” he said.
Dr Singh said that Marshal Fahim was also a close friend of India and the country shall never forget his personal contribution to nurturing and strengthening the India Afghanistan strategic partnership.
“We pray to the Almighty to give the family of Marshal Fahim the strength and fortitude to bear their loss at this time of great sorrow,” Dr Singh said in his message.
In a separate message, Vice President M Hamid Ansari said that he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Fahim.
Ansari described him as a fearless commander, one of the bravest sons of Afghanistan, “my friend who devoted his entire life to combating the dark forces of extremism and terrorism that continue to threaten Afghanistan and its people.
“The people of India shall always remember Marshal Fahim for his tireless efforts to strengthen the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership.
“Today our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family and the friendly people of Afghanistan. May the Almighty give them strength and courage to bear their loss.”