India officials brought back from Kabul
Lagatar24 Desk : An IAF aircraft on Tuesday left from Kabul to India rescuing Indian personnel as part of the evacuation process. Taliban has conquered Afghanistan.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it was decided that the Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately in view of the prevailing circumstances.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately,” Bagchi tweeted.
An Indian Air Force (IAF)C-17 heavy lift transport aircraft brought back some personnel to India on Monday and Tuesday’s flight is the second one.
The people cited above said Indian staffers at the embassy are being brought back on board the second evacuation flight.
Hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan, the Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday evening capturing power 20 years after a US-led military invasion ousted it in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is monitoring the situation in Kabul continuously.
“Monitoring the situation in Kabul continuously. Understand the anxiety of those seeking to return to India. Airport operations are the main challenge. Discussions on with partners in that regard,” he tweeted earlier.
Jaishankar, who is in New York on a four-day visit, said he discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“Discussed latest developments in Afghanistan with @SecBlinken. Underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul. Deeply appreciate the American efforts underway in this regard,” he said.
“Significant UN Security Council discussions today on developments in Afghanistan. Expressed the concerns of the international community. Expect to discuss these during my engagements at the UN,” the External Affairs Minister added.
In another tweet, he said the government is in constant touch with the Sikh and Hindu community leaders in Kabul, adding their welfare will get its priority attention.
“Given the Kabul situation, important we have accurate information about Indians there. Urge that this be provided by all concerned to the MEA Special Afghanistan Cell,” he said.