Sikhs trapped in Afghanistan appeal for immediate evacuation

Speaking to ETV Bharat senior correspondent Chandrakala Choudhury, Talwinder Singh Chawla, a member of Pardhan Gurnam Singh Committee currently staying in Gurdwara Karte Parwan in the embattled capital, appealed to the Government of India to evacuate trapped members of the Sikh community at the earliest.

New Delhi: Talwinder Singh Chawla, a member of Pardhan Gurnam Singh Committee currently staying in Gurdwara Karte Parwan in the embattled capital, appealed to the Government of India to evacuate trapped members of the Sikh community at the earliest.

"It is for our good and for the well being of our community that we go back to India immediately. On behalf of the Gurudwara, I appeal to the Government of India to evacuate us on an urgent basis," said Talwinder.

This comes a day after the Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid held the first-ever conference in Kabul and said that they do not have enmity with anyone and that all have been pardoned by the Islamic emirates by the order of their leaders.

Firing by Taliban to stop Jalabad protestors

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Talwinder said, “Nearly 250-300 Sikhs and Hindus including elderly people, women and children are taking shelter in Karte Parwan Gurdwara. We urge the Indian Government to take us back to India immediately because the first Vice President Amrullah Saleh has announced war and has declared himself to be the caretaker President of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan might witness catastrophic violence in the coming days

“Presently, People in Jalalabad province have taken to the street to protest against the Taliban, making the situation even worse. The Taliban is firing to stop the Jalalabad protesters. Presently, no war-like situation is witnessed in the capital Kabul but very soon there is every possibility that the situation will turn volatile. We should return to India as soon as possible to protect our culture and identity,” added Chawla.

Constant fear among people as the Taliban gain control

Another Sikh on the condition of anonymity said that a group of Taliban had visited Gurdwara Karte Parwan on Monday and assured them of their security, adding that there is still uncertainty and constant fear among people about what would happen next.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who claims he is the legitimate ruler of the country in the absence of the President, is leading a fight back against the Taliban in Panjshir.

On Tuesday, days after the Taliban captured Afghanistan; a Northern Alliance flag was hoisted in Panjshir.

Earlier today, Anas Haqqani, a member of the Taliban’s political office, met with former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah.

On Wednesday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds.

After a month-long offensive against the Afghan security forces, the Taliban fighters captured Afghanistan on 15 August, following which the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, attracting criticism from world leaders.