India Airlifts 110 People From Kabul, Religious Scriptures From Gurdwaras, Temple Flown In

Last week, Centre informed that India had evacuated 565 stranded persons from Afghanistan since August when Kabul fell to the Taliban insurgents. 

ANI Photos

New Delhi: A special repatriation flight from Kabul brought around 110 people, including Afghan citizens belonging to the Hindu and Sikh communities, to India on Friday.

According to a statement by India World Forum, the flight is repatriating the stranded Indian citizens and distressed Afghan citizens belonging to the Hindu and Sikh community along with spouses of Indian citizens.

#WATCH | Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BJP chief JP Nadda carry Guru Granth Sahib which has been brought by Sikh delegation from Kabul, Afghanistan this afternoon. The delegation has brought three Guru Granth Sahib with them. pic.twitter.com/2ckZFRd9oP

— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2021

The flight chartered by the Government of India is being operated from Kabul.

As per news agency ANI, three Sri Guru Granth Sahib from historical Gurdwaras in Afghanistan and Hindu religious scriptures, including Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, from the ancient 5th Century Asamai Mandir in Kabul have also been flown to India.

The India World Forum stated that the Afghan nationals will be rehabilitated by Sobti Foundation after their arrival.

“It is pertinent to mention that the family of Mahram Ali, a local security guard who was killed during the terror attack in Gurdwara Guru Har Rai, Shor Bazar, Kabul is also being facilitated and being airlifted and will be rehabilitated by Sobti Foundation,” the statement informed.

It was further stated that the Sri Guru Granth Sahib will proceed towards Gurdwara Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Mahavir Nagar and the Hindu religious scriptures will proceed towards Asamai Mandir in Faridabad.

Last week, the Government had stated in the Lok Sabha that India evacuated 565 stranded persons from Afghanistan since August when Kabul fell to the Taliban insurgents. 

Responding to a question from Congress MP Hibi Eden, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said that officials of the Ministry of External Affairs were in contact with the Indians left behind. 

However, it was not mentioned if the airlifted individuals also included some Afghans.

(With Agency Inputs)