Such cowardly acts show diabolical mindset of perpetrators: India on Gurdwara attack
New Delhi: India on Wednesday “strongly condemned the heinous terror attack” on a Gurudwara in the Afghan Capital Kabul in which at least 25 people have been reportedly killed.
Indian said it “stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the affected families of the Hindu and Sikh community of Afghanistan”.
The attack was reportedly carried out by terror group ISIS. Prime minister Narendra Modi said the terror attack carried out on the Gurudwara in Kabul had saddened him as he offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the terror attack.
Commending the valour of the Afghan security forces who fought the terrorists, New Delhi said “such cowardly attacks on the places of religious worship of the minority community, especially at this time of COVID-19 pandemic, is reflective of the diabolical mindset of the perpetrators and their backers”.
The use of the word “backers” is being seen as a veiled indication by India towards Pakistan although the Pakistan-backed Taliban has denied it carried out the attack.
The MEA said, “We convey our sincerest condolences to the immediate family members of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the affected families of the Hindu and Sikh community of Afghanistan. Such cowardly attacks on the places of religious worship of the minority community, especially at this time of COVID 19 pandemic, is reflective of the diabolical mindset of the perpetrators and their backers.”
The MEA added, “We commend the brave Afghan security forces for their valorous response to the attack and their exemplary courage and dedication to protect the Afghan people and secure the country. India stands in solidarity with the people, the Government and the security forces of Afghanistan in their efforts for bringing peace and security to the country.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan also “strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul, that has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to several worshippers”, saying “such despicable attacks have no political, religious or moral justification and must be rejected outright” and adding that “all places of worship are sacrosanct and their sanctity must be respected at all times”.
According to news agency reports from Kabul that also cited other local media reports, terrorists including suicide bombers stormed a Sikh gurdwara in the heart of the Afghan Capital Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 25 worshippers and wounding eight others, in one of the deadliest attacks on the minority community in the country.
The gunmen attacked the gurdwara in Shor Bazar area at about 7.45 am (local Afghan time) as 150 worshippers were inside the building. At least 80 people were reportedly rescued from the Gurudwara by Afghan security forces.
An Afghan Sikh lawmaker told reporters close to the scene that up to 150 people were praying inside the Gurudwara when it came under attack.
"Afghan forces have cleared the first floor of a Sikh worship area in PD1 of Kabul, where suicide bombers are battling security forces," he said.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian was also quoted as saying in reports from Kabul. "A number of people have been rescued who were trapped inside the building," he added.
