Desperate, Stranded Indian Workers In Kabul Send SOS To Govt & Plead For Evacuation

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan after 20 years has left many Indians deeply worried over the safety of their loved ones stuck in Kabul and other parts of the country.

Opting for the last resort, Indian workers stranded in Kabul have requested the government to evacuate them from Afghanistan as the country descended into chaos following the takeover by the Taliban.

"Desperate to get out"

"Our families are crying, we are desperate to get out of here. We called the helpline number, they have not replied yet, but have received the message," Suraj, a worker who hails from Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh, told India Today.

PTI

28-year-old Suraj, who works as a welder, went to Kabul in January this year. His parents, wife, son and brother live in Chandauli's Mughalsarai.

A video shared by him from Kabul shows him along with other Indians inside a room in what appears to be an apartment. "Sir, we are very worried. All of us are worried," a man on the phone can be heard saying. With tense expressions, other people in the video can also be seen speaking on the phone, apparently trying to arrange help.

A family member of this 28-year-old told NDTV the video was received two days ago when Taliban's terrorists seized power in Kabul. His parents, too, have appealed to the central government for the swift evacuation of their son and other Indians stranded amid the conflict.

AFP

"Don't know what Taliban would do"

"My son is stuck. Earlier things were fine. But of late, he used to say there are a lot of problems. I spoke to him three days ago. He told me the government has changed and that the Taliban has seized power. He is fine but one does not know what the Taliban will do. I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get him evacuated as soon as possible," the father appealed while speaking to NDTV.

Similarly, an Indian man stuck in Afghanistan put up on social media on Monday where he is seen seeking help from the Centre after his flight got canceled. He also explains how he spent the night in fear cooped-up in a hotel in Kabul. Guru Naik, in a video message also appealed to the government to repatriate those stranded in the country.

AFP

"Both booked flights cancelled"

¡°I am an Indian citizen and badly stuck in Afghanistan. I have been working with an NGO in Kabul for the last six years. We were not aware that the security situation would deteriorate at this speed. We are all in close touch with the Indian embassy," Naik said while sharing his experience.

¡°As per the alert issued by the Indian embassy, I had booked flights in Kam Air and as well as Air India for today. However, both flights were suspended due to the closure of the airspace," he added.

AFP

He further added that multiple gunshots are being fired at the airport and several helicopters are doing sorties as thousands of people rushed to the Kabul airport. ¡°As commercial flights are not operating we are facing a very dire situation," Naik said.