Human and political crises deepen in Afghanistan as the Taliban stunningly stormed nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, in spite of enormous political efforts, draining out the billions of dollars spent by the US and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces.
The Afghan forces proved to be far below what was expected from them professionally. The Taliban militants entered Kabul on Sunday and sought the unconditional surrender of the Central government. Following this, countries across the world have started the process to evacuate their nationals in Kabul. Nations are closing their embassies and prioritising on evacuation of its nationals.
At least five people died in jostling for a foothold on a US Aircraft at Kabul airport as hundreds of people tried to forcibly enter planes leaving the Afghan capital, witnesses told Reuters. One witness said he had seen the bodies of five people being taken to a vehicle. Another witness said it was not clear whether the victims were killed by gunshots or in a stampede. India has already evacuated its embassy in Kabul.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi very rightly directed officials to ensure safe evacuation of all Indian citizens from Afghanistan and to provide refuge to Sikhs and Hindus wanting to come to India from there in a crucial CCS meeting in the backdrop of the Taliban takeover of the war-torn country.
The CCS is also learnt to be taking stock of the Indian assets in Afghanistan besides fine-tuning the plans to evacuate every single Indian safely out of the crisis-hit nation.
The safety of Indian nationals and minorities in Afghanistan are the prime concern of India. While how many Indians are stuck up in the war-stricken country is not precisely told, it is obvious that the Indian national must be belonging to various states of India. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today said that from J&K, two professors teaching in Kabul University are safe and will be brought back soon.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today urged the Centre to arrange evacuation of all Indians, including 200 Sikhs who were stuck in a Gurdwara in Afghanistan, and said his government was willing to extend any help needed for the same.
Though as per the reports, the Taliban has announced a general amnesty to their detractors and others, their announcements will not be taken seriously going by their past track-record. With Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reportedly fleeing the country, the government is hoping for an interim administration. Civilians, fearing that the Taliban could re-impose the kind of brutal rule that all but eliminated women’s rights, rushed to leave the country, lining up at cash machines to withdraw their life savings. Helicopters buzzed overhead, some apparently evacuating personnel at the US Embassy. Several other Western missions were also preparing to get staff out.
