Two killed, three injured in terror attack on gurdwara near Kabul – Times of India

Ambala: A Sikh and a local security guard were killed in a terrorist attack, while three people inside were injured. Gurudwara Karta-e-Parwan near Kabul Saturday morning in Afghanistan at around 6.30 am.
The deceased have been identified as Savinder Singh (about 60) and Ahmed, who worked as a private security guard at the gurdwara. Local Sikhs said that apart from one terrorist, some soldiers of Taliban forces were also killed.
According to the information, some armed assailants entered the Sikh place of worship and indiscriminately attacked the Gurdwara premises after blowing up the entrance with a bomb blast.
When contacted by TOI, Gurnam Singh, president of Gurdwara Karta-e-Parwan, said over phone, “The gurdwara was attacked and armed men entered the premises and attacked. We suspect that the sangat residing there was killed.” We are still ignorant about the number of people killed as the armed men inside the Gurudwara and Sangat have not been able to pass.”
Visuals of the incident also emerged, in which smoke could be seen rising from the gurdwara premises and local Sikhs in panic while trying to stay at safer places expressed concern about the safety of those trapped inside.
Gurmeet Singh, another Sikh from Kabul, said, “There were about 10 people inside the Gurdwara Sahib when the attack took place. We could hear bombings and gunshots at our house. At the time of the attack, the holy Sarup of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib was seen. was enshrined. Inside the gurdwara and daily prayers were being held. The incident happened at around 6.30 am Kabul time.”
Gurmeet said, “Taliban forces launched a horrific attack with the attackers attacking the gurdwara.”
Later in the day, Gurnam Singh said, “Initially, we were not allowed to enter the gurdwara complex, but we went there after the Taliban forces controlled the situation. First, we saw the holy Sarup of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. (Granth) shifted from there. Gurudwara near our house. The injured people were taken to hospitals. Unfortunately, in this attack we lost Savinder Singh along with a security guard.”
Afghan Sikhs said the entire incident, including the attack and its retaliation by Taliban forces, continued from around 6.30 am to 11.30 am.
Afghan Sikhs said that the building of Gurdwara Karta-e-Parwan was heavily damaged in this terrorist attack and it was one of the last remaining Gurdwaras in Afghanistan. Since the takeover of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, minority Sikhs and Hindus were taking refuge in this gurdwara.
He said that the last rites of Savinder Singh were performed as he was cremated inside the premises of Gurdwara Karta-e-Parwan as per Sikh conduct and the injured were still undergoing treatment.
The incident was strongly condemned by all sections including the Government of India, the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and political parties.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “We are deeply concerned by reports from Kabul about an attack on a holy gurudwara in that city. We are monitoring the situation closely and will know more about further developments.” are waiting for.”

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar Tweeted, “Cowardly attack gurdwara does parwani Everyone should condemn in the strongest terms. We are closely monitoring the developments ever since we got the news of the attack. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community.”

Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, tweeted, “The bullet-ridden body of Bhai Savinder Singh, one of the two missing Sikhs, was found this morning during the terrorist attack on Gurdwara Sahib in Afghanistan. Minorities were targeted by the ruling world. In the elites it is a very low level phenomenon.”
Giani Harpreet Singh, “To stop this despicable and despicable incident, all the parties fighting for human rights in the world need to come together on a common platform.”
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh also condemned the incident.
“SGPC President Harjinder Singh has sent emails to the Prime Minister of India,” the SGPC press release said. Mr. Narendra ModiHome Minister Shri Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar appealed to them to take concrete steps to ensure the security of minority Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan and to intensify efforts to bring them to India to settle here.
Harjinder Singh said that there are many historical Gurdwaras in Afghanistan and Sikhs have been living there for centuries but some over-minded people are targeting Sikhs.
SGPC president S. Harjinder Singh said that two days ago the SGPC delegation met the Chairman of National Commission for Minorities, Government of India in New Delhi and demanded Indian citizenship for them and at the diplomatic level to stop the atrocities happening against them in their country. Conversation.
The SGPC President said that the SGPC is continuously writing to the Government of India and holding diplomatic level talks to ensure the safety of life and property of Sikhs and Hindus living in Afghanistan.
Harjinder Singh said, “Despite repeated alerts about the threat to the lives of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, the Indian government has not been able to evacuate them so far.”
The SGPC president said that the governments should also take concrete steps for the security of the Sikhs.
s. Harjinder Singh also called upon the United Nations to take initiatives to ensure the security of Sikhs in Afghanistan.

Punit Singh Chandok, President of the Indian World Forum tweeted, “According to Gurnam Singh, President of Gurdwara, there is potentially dangerous news from #ISIS from #Kabul armed terrorists. Do Parwan Gurdwara, He is crying and many of those who live in the Gurudwara are killed according to him. Request to @narendramodi ji and @MEAIndia for SOS assistance.”
“On 27th May 2022 I forwarded the petition of #Afghan minorities to @MEAIndia & @HMOIndia for processing of e-Visa pending since last one year for 150 #Hindus & #Sikhs in #Kabul. Raised concerns on several occasions. And still waiting for the e-visa. I pray that everyone stays alive.” Puneet further tweeted.
To this, Delhi-based BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “Terrorists attacked Gurdwara Sahib in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is not yet known how many people entered the gurdwara. But apart from the passengers (travellers), there were 10 inside. People were there. Gurdwara. The gurudwara’s granthi housed the Guru Granth Sahib when the attack took place. There were bomb blasts and firing is still going on. I am in constant touch with the Gurdwara president and others and the Gurdwara is in constant touch with the terrorists. We are praying for everyone’s safety and that the Gurudwara should be in our possession again.”