India Condemns Alleged Removal Of Nishan Sahib Flag From Gurdwara In Afghanistan's Paktia: Sources

The Taliban has been employing violence to make rapid advances across Afghanistan in a bid to gain control after the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country.

New Delhi: India has presented a sharp and critical response over the reported removed of a Sikh religious flag atop the roof of a Gurdwara in Paktia province of Afghanistan, government sources revealed on Friday.

India condemned the act expressing its firm belief that Afghanistan's future must be the one where the interests of all sections of its society, including minorities and women, are protected, they said.

"We have seen media reports on Nishan Sahib, a Sikh religious flag, having been removed atop the roof of Gurdwara Thala Sahib, Chamkani in Paktia province of Afghanistan," said a source as quoted by news agency PTI.

"We condemn this act and reiterate India's firm belief that Afghanistan's future must be the one where the interests of all sections of the Afghan society, including minorities and women, are protected," he added.

The Taliban has been employing violence to make rapid advances across Afghanistan in a bid to gain control after the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1.

In a fresh attack, Taliban gunmen managed to kill the head of the Afghanistan government's media wing on Friday, TOLO News reported citing sources.

The publication also informed that the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Dawa Khan Menapal, who headed the Media and Information Center of the Afghanistan government.

Amid the chaos, America has already withdrawn the majority of its forces and is planning to complete the exercise by August 31.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had on Thursday reiterated that India is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan. India continues to call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.

"We have been supporting the government and people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future," he said.

The External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson emphasised once again that India supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled peace process.