The ‘United Sikhs’ has said that more than 260 Afghan nationals, including women and over 50 children, are trapped in the Karte Parwan Gurdwara.
United Sikhs Afghan campaign
More than 260 people of the Sikh community have taken refuge in the Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. These people want help to get out of the stressed country. An American Sikh organization said this on Sunday. United Sikhs, a US-based Sikh organization, said in a statement, “There are more than 260 Afghan citizens, including women and more than 50 children, at the Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul. These include three newborns, one of whom was born yesterday only.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, only India has helped the people of the Sikh community of Afghanistan to get out of there. ‘United Sikh’ said, ‘We are talking to the governments of many countries including America, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Tajikistan, Iran and Britain in this regard. We are also talking to international aid agencies and NGOs who are trying to help rescue people trapped in Afghanistan. Apart from this, we are also in touch with companies working in this regard at the grassroots level in Afghanistan.
Obstacles in getting out people being made check posts
According to ‘United Sikhs’, the biggest challenge of this rescue operation is the 10-km-long route from Karte Parwan Gurdwara to Kabul’s International Airport, on which several check posts have been set up. Some people from Afghanistan’s minority community tried to leave last week, which was unsuccessful. Surbir Singh of Jalalabad, who took shelter in the gurdwara, said, “We are ready to go to the airport, but we fear cancellation of flights from Kabul. This is the only chance we have to take women, children, elderly and infants out of the country. Once the current authorities have captured the entire country, that will be the end of our community.
Minorities in fear of Taliban’s return
Significantly, the situation has changed a lot since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. A large number of people fear the return of the old Taliban regime. The Taliban have captured the country’s land border crossings. In such a situation, the only way out for people is through Kabul Airport. The biggest fear of the Taliban’s withdrawal is within the minority community living there. This includes the numbers of Hindus and Sikhs. These people are trying very hard to leave the country. India has also helped Afghan Sikhs to get out.
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