Gunmen Storm Kabul Gurdwara, Multiple Explosions Heard, Casualties Feared
Multiple explosions were reported from the Gurdwara Karta Parwan in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday morning. Unidentified gunmen stormed it and casualties are feared. There are also unverified claims that the gunmen torched the gurudwara sahib. No outfits have yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Multiple explosions were reported from the Gurdwara Karta Parwan in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday morning after unidentified gunmen stormed it.
According to some claims on social media, worshipers were present inside the Gurdwara when gunmen stormed it, and casualties are feared.
Very sad news Gurdwara Karte Parwan Kabul is attacked by two suicide bombers of Daish group this morning. Approximately 16 sikh members are in Gurdwara sahib. Heavy fire seen. I am in touch with Gurnam singh president & other afghan sikhs in #kabul @MEAIndia @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/ZFzAk5G4pz
¡ª @vikramsahney (@vikramsahney) June 18, 2022
¡°There were around 30 people inside the gurdwara. We don't know how many of them are alive or how many dead. The Taliban are not allowing us to go inside, we don't know what to do,¡± an official told Reuters.
There are also unverified claims that the gunmen torched the gurdwara sahib.
#Kabul is cursed, once again. On Saturday morning (Kabul time), gunmen stormed a Gurudwara, a Sikh religious site in #Afghanistan¡¯s capital. In the video, smoke can be seen emanating from the complex and gunshots can be heard. Multiple Casualties feared. Taliban yet to comment. pic.twitter.com/Jo8QvzIShH
¡ª The Conflict Diaries (@factsnconflicts) June 18, 2022
"The sound of explosions was heard in Karte Parwan area of Kabul city. Details about the nature and casualties of this incident are not yet known," Tolo News said in a tweet.
"Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul, Afghanistan attacked by terrorists early morning today. Multiple blasts reported at Gurdwara Sahib premises. Had a talk with Gurnam Singh, President of Gurdwara Karte Parwan. He pleaded for global support for Sikhs in Afghanistan," BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a Tweet.
Breaking: Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul, Afghanistan attacked by terrorists early morning today. Multiple blasts reported at Gurdwara Sahib premises. Had a talk with Gurnam Singh, President of Gurdwara Karte Parwan. He pleaded for global support for Sikhs in Afghanistan@ANI pic.twitter.com/bnYPMciyI3
¡ª Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 18, 2022
It is unclear who the gunmen were, as no outfits have yet claimed responsibility.
However, the attack comes just days after the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP), an affiliate of the Islamic State released a video in which the outfit had threatened to carry out suicide bombings targeting Hindus and Sikhs, in response to the comments made by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammed.
The video features @NupurSharmaBJP, the national spokesperson of the @BJP4India and houses of Muslims bulldozed. It then features previous statements of ISKP suicide bombers who were Indian. Threatening to conduct attacks against India wherever possible. 2/4 pic.twitter.com/UjEmM7m87p
¡ª The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) June 14, 2022
It then features @narendramodi and the attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan followed by animations of a suicide bombing. Ending with a message to conduct attacks very soon. 4/4 pic.twitter.com/rjZllP5v9O
¡ª The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) June 14, 2022
This is not the first time the Gurudwara in the Karte Parwan district of Kabul has come under attack.
In October 2021, 15 to 20 terrorists entered the Gurudwara and tied up the guards.
ISKP had launched a deadly terror attack on Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib gurudwara in Kabul's Short Bazaar area in March 2020, killing 27 Sikhs.
File image
Sikhs, like other religious minorities in Afghanistan, have been living in fear, especially after the Taliban takeover of the country last year.
While the Taliban has insisted that religious minorities including Sikhs and Hindus will be safe under their rule, many are not taking chances.
ANI
Most Afghan Sikhs have already left the country following the Taliban takeover to countries like India, Canada and the US.
According to those still staying back in the country there are less than 200 Sikhs left in Afghanistan.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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