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Afghanistan situation alarming, hope govt evacuates all Indians: Cong

The remarks came soon after Afghanistan local media reported that the Taliban has captured over 150 people, mostly Indians, from Kabul airport earlier on Saturday.

Afghanistan situation alarming, hope govt evacuates all Indians: Cong

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala (Photo:: IANS)

Moments after Afghanistan local media reported that 150 people including several Indians have been captured by the Taliban, the Congress on Saturday described the situation there as most alarming and hoped that the Narendra Modi government takes note now and act decisively to safely bring back all Indian citizens.

In a tweet, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “This is most distressing and alarming. This was exactly the reason why Congress urged upon Modi government to evacuate all Indians and not abdicate its responsibility. Hope Modi government takes note now and act decisively to safely bring back all our citizens.”

His remarks came soon after Afghanistan local media reported that the Taliban has captured over 150 people, mostly Indians, from Kabul airport earlier on Saturday.

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Earlier in the day, over 85 Indian nationals were evacuated from Afghanistan by an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J transport plane early this morning from Kabul airport. The Taliban captured power in Afghanistan last Sunday and are now in the process to establish a government there.

Taliban denies kidnapping reports near Kabul airport: A Taliban official has denied reports that foreign nationals were kidnapped near the Kabul airport, where big crowds still exist amid US-led evacuation efforts, local media reported on Saturday.

“The report about kidnapping is a rumor. The Taliban members are helping all foreign nationals to get access to the airport. We are determined to provide safe passage to all foreigners to get to the airport,” Ahmadullah Waseq, a Taliban spokesperson, told local media Eitlalatroz. He said Taliban forces were escorting about 150 Indian citizens to safely enter the airport, reports Xinhua news agency.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan capital on August 15, thousands of Afghans have flooded to Kabul airport to leave the country. The evacuation flights were continuing as three flights took off on Saturday morning, resident Farhad Mohammadi said.

About 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Kabul airport to help with the airlift process. At least 12 people have been killed in gun shootings and stampedes in the airport since the capital city’s fall.

The situation in Afghanistan remains uncertain after the Taliban’s swift takeover of most parts of the country.

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