60 Afghans, Including 23 Hindus And Sikhs, Among 400 Airlifted

While India’s evacuation efforts in Afghanistan continued to focus on its own nationals, among the close to 400 people flown to India on Sunday were also about 60 Afghans, including 23 Sikhs and Hindus.

With many people, including foreigners, now seeking help from India in their bid to exit Afghanistan, the Centre has deployed a team of diplomats and defence ministry officials at the Kabul airport to coordinate evacuation efforts with the US and other countries facilitating the exercise.

The 60 Afghans, including two lawmakers Anarkali Honaryar and Narender Singh Khalsa, were brought out amid reports that the Taliban were not allowing locals to leave the country. India had earlier assured Afghan nationals, including members of minority communities, with ties to it that it would prioritise visas for them and set up an emergency e-visa service for them.

An Afghan woman evacuee, who touched down in India with her daughter and two grandchildren, told ANI, “The Taliban burnt down my house. I thank India for helping us.”