New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (June 18) condemned the “cowardly” terrorist attack on the Karta Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul, Afghanistan, in which two people, including a Sikh, were killed and seven others were injured. PM Modi wrote on Twitter, ‘Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against Karta Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and welfare of the devotees.”
Several blasts rocked Gurdwara Karte Parwan in KabulPTI, citing a BBC report, said that 30 people were inside the Bagh-e-Bala neighborhood on Saturday morning. Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Taqor said the exchange of fire between militants and Taliban fighters lasted for several hours. While Afghan security personnel averted a major accident by preventing a vehicle laden with explosives from reaching the gurdwara. The terror attack comes as the latest targeted attack on a place of worship of the minority Sikh community in Afghanistan.
Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against Karta Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and welfare of the devotees. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 18 June 2022
A Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed that one of those killed was a member of Islamic Emirate forces and the other was an Afghan Sikh national. The Pazvok news agency reported that three attackers were also killed by Taliban forces.
No terrorist organization has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, in the past, the Islamic State Khorasan (ISK) has claimed responsibility for attacks on places of worship for Hindus, Sikhs and Shias in war-torn Afghanistan.
Earlier today, India strongly condemned the “cowardly attack” on the gurdwara in Kabul and said it was monitoring the situation closely. The External Affairs Minister said, “The cowardly attack on Gurdwara Karte Parwan must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. We are closely monitoring the developments since the news of the attack. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community.” ” S Jaishankar wrote in a tweet.
Condemning the attack, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the Center to provide immediate assistance to ensure the safety of minorities in the Afghan capital.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka, while addressing a press conference earlier in the day, said that the Center has assured to help those stranded in Afghanistan with their visas so that they can come to India. “A gurudwara in Kabul was attacked and people were taken hostage, a granthi was killed. There were explosions and firing. We appeal to the government to take care of the minorities in Afghanistan. Assured to help you come to India with visa.” ANI quoted the DSGMC president as saying.
(with agency input)