Afghanistan Taliban Crisis HIGHLIGHTS: PM Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Discuss Unfolding Security Situation
Afghanistan Crisis HIGHLIGHTS, August 23, Monday: Taliban said on Sunday that “hundreds" of its fighters were heading to Panjshir Valley, one of the few parts of Afghanistan not yet controlled by them
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Background
Afghanistan Crisis HIGHLIGHTS, August 23, Monday: Evacuations from Kabul continued in full swing. With US troops in charge of the Hamid Karzai International airport, countries are scrambling to get their citizens out of Afghanistan.
Over 300 Indian citizens were airlifted from Kabul airport on three separate flights on Sunday. Another flight with more than 150 passengers is expected to land in New Delhi on Monday morning.
The Taliban said on Sunday that “hundreds" of its fighters were heading to the Panjshir Valley, one of the few parts of Afghanistan not yet controlled by the group, AFP reported.
Since the Taliban overran Afghanistan, flickers of resistance have begun to emerge with some ex-government troops gathering in the Panjshir, north of Kabul, long known as an anti-Taliban bastion.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said that the international community should remain engaged with Afghanistan to help it come out of the current situation. During a conversation with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, Qureshi shared Pakistan's perspective on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
Qureshi underlined that the highest priorities remained ensuring safety and security as well as protection of the rights of all Afghans, Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement. Qureshi said that the current situation in Afghanistan required sustained international engagement.
Afghan nationals protest in front of UNHCR office demanding refugee status
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE: India continues evacuation mission; brings back 146 from Doha
New Delhi (PTI): India on Monday evacuated over 70 people, including its citizens and a group of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, from Kabul to Dushanbe in Tajikistan in an IAF aircraft while another batch of near-equal strength is planned to be taken out of the Afghan capital to the Tajik city at the earliest, people familiar with the developments said.
Separately, India brought back 146 of its nationals to Delhi in four different commercial flights from the Qatari capital Doha, days after they were evacuated from Kabul by NATO and American aircraft.
With Monday's evacuation, the number of people brought back to Delhi has gone up to around 730 since August 16 when the first group was airlifted from Kabul, a day after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital city.
The people cited above said the evacuees, who were taken to Dushanbe, are likely to be brought back to Delhi from the Tajikistan capital in a civilian aircraft on Tuesday.
India has stepped up efforts to evacuate its citizens as well as its Afghan partners from Kabul in view of the deteriorating security situation in the Afghan capital and other parts of the country after the Taliban swept to power last week.
Thousands of Afghans have been crowding around the Kabul airport for nearly a week, in a desperate attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban's brutality.
The people cited above said most of the 146 Indians brought back from Doha were employees of western companies and organisations that were operating in Afghanistan.
It was the second batch of Indians that was brought home from Doha. A total of 135 Indians were flown back to Delhi from the Qatari capital in a special flight on Sunday.
Out of the second batch of Indians who returned home from Doha, 104 people were brought back in a Vistara flight, 30 by a Qatar Airways flight and 11 of them returned by an Indigo flight.
One person returned by an Air India flight, they said.
India on Sunday evacuated 392 people including two Afghan lawmakers in three different flights under the evacuation mission amid a continued scramble by various countries to rescue their citizens from Kabul.
The Taliban seized control of Kabul on August 15 after taking over almost all key towns and cities following the withdrawal of the US forces.
Within two days of the Taliban's capture of Kabul, India evacuated 200 people, including the Indian envoy and other staffers of its embassy in the Afghan capital.
The first evacuation flight brought back over 40 people, mostly staffers at the Indian embassy on August 16.
The second aircraft evacuated around 150 people including Indian diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indians from Kabul on August 17.
India carried out the evacuation missions in coordination with the US and several other friendly countries.
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE: PM Modi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel discuss unfolding security situation
Spoke to (German) Chancellor Angela Merkel this evening & discussed bilateral, multilateral & regional issues, including recent developments in Afghanistan. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, PM Narendra Modi said.
PM Modi & German Chancellor Merkel discussed the unfolding security situation in Afghanistan & its implications on the region & the world. They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace & security, with the most urgent priority being repatriation of stranded people, PMO informed
The two leaders also discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, including cooperation in COVID-19 vaccines, development cooperation with a focus on climate & energy, & fostering trade & economic relations, PMO added.
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE: 'Uncertain whether Sikhs & Hindus will have any rights in future,' says Afghan MP
"I thank the Indian govt, PM Narendra Modi, MEA, & Indian Air Force. The situation in Afghanistan is unimaginable. There is no government. President has not been there for 10 days. We had high hopes of peace process, but nothing happened": Afghan MP Anarkali Kaur Honaryar told ANI in Delhi.
"Many people in Afghanistan don't have travel documents. We had to wait from 12 midnight to 10 am in the hot weather. There were incidents of firing around the airport every day. 3-4 people died daily," she added.
"20 years ago, Taliban used to think that Sikhs & Hindus were not entitled to any rights as they're not Muslim. When a Taliban spox addressed media for first time, he didn't mention Sikhs & Hindus. It is uncertain whether they'll have any rights in future," the Afghan MP said.
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE: Taliban Warn Of 'Consequences' If US Delays Pull Out Beyond Next Week
The Taliban on Monday warned there would be "consequences" if the United States and its allies extend their presence in Afghanistan beyond next week, as chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul airport, news agency AFP reported.
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