Attack on Sikh Gurudawara in Kabul

[MenInG]

Pakistan on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack on a Sikh temple in Kabul that resulted in the loss of two lives, terming the acts of terrorism on religious places "utterly repugnant".

In a statement issued today, the Foreign Office noted that the attack resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to many others while causing destruction of property.

"Pakistan is seriously concerned at the recent spate of terrorist attacks on places of worship in Afghanistan," the communiqué released by the foreign office maintained.

It noted that yesterday, terrorists targeted the Imam Sahib mosque in Kunduz, killing and injuring many worshippers and termed the acts of terrorism targeting religious places utterly repugnant.

The foreign office reiterated Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

"We express strong solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and support all efforts of the Afghan authorities in fighting the menace of terrorism and ensuring the protection of all their citizens," the statement concluded.

Since taking power in August, the Taliban say they have secured Afghanistan, although international officials and analysts say the risk of a resurgence in militancy remains.

Some attacks in recent months have been claimed by the Islamic State militant group.

Sikhs are a tiny religious minority in largely Muslim Afghanistan, comprising about 300 families before the country fell to the Taliban. But many left afterwards, say members of the community and media.

Like other religious minorities, Sikhs have been a continual target of violence in Afghanistan. An attack at another temple in Kabul in 2020 that killed 25 was claimed by Islamic State.

(With additional input from Reuters)

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2361893/pakistan-strongly-denounces-attack-on-sikh-temple-in-kabul

 

[MenInG]

The Islamic State Khorasan Province on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the attack on a Sikh temple in Afghanistan that killed one community member and a Taliban fighter, saying it was a retaliation for insults against the Prophet Muhammad. However, in their statement, they exaggerated the figures and claimed 50 Hindus, Sikhs and Taliban were killed in the attack. Also Read: Curious case of ISKP emir Aslam Farooqui and Pak links

ISKP has been rising in Afghanistan after the indiscriminate release of terrorists from the prison last year when US forces exited Afghanistan. The ISKP, which is totally opposed to the existence of any minority including Shia, Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis, has umbilical links with the Pakistani deep state, as evident from the statement of Mawlawi Abudullah aka Aslam Farooqui, the former chief of the ISKP to the Afghan National Directorate of Security, after Farooqui was arrested in 2020. During interrogation, Farooqui was understood to have laid bare links of ISKP with Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence.

The Gurdwara attack also reveals the rising radicalisation in the Af-Pak region with the Taliban regime unable to contain these Islamic jihadis.

The Gurdwara attack drew severe criticism from world leaders with the United Nations Assistance Mission tweeting that the attacks on civilians should be stopped immediately. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid released a statement condemning the attack and expressing condolences while assuring the Sikh community of action against the perpetrators.

Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq said Pakistan was seriously concerned at the recent spate of terrorist attacks on places of worship in Afghanistan. He added that these acts of terrorism targeting religious places were utterly repugnant.

Harjinder Singh, president of SGPC Amritsar, has written an email to the PMO to ensure the safety and security of Sikhs /Hindus in Afghanistan.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for the start of a national dialogue to establish long-term peace and stability, and pleaded for the country to be saved from suffering through the unity of all Afghans while Dr Abdullah Abdullah said, “I strongly condemn today’s heinous & cowardly terrorist attack on our Sikh community Gurdwara in Karta-e-Parwan".

Anarkali Hunaryar, former Hindu lawmaker in the upper House of Afghan Parliament, during the previous government, reacted on her Twitter account and said, "Sikhs were targeted because of the new relationship between Afghanistan and India".

NRF Spokesperson Sebghatullah Ahmadi denounced the attack and said that such attacks on mosques, places of worship and public facilities are a method of "Taliban occupied forces to assert that they rule by force". "Can't find lethal enough words to express condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack against the Gurdwara in Kabul, targetting peaceful Sikh citizens of Afghanistan with ISI backed HQN ruling Kabul & LeT/Jaishroaming free, a fair investigation can't be expected. Attack has all the hallmarks of HQN".

https://www.hindustantimes.com/worl...abul-hypes-up-casualties-101655613380516.html

 

[MenInG]

The Indian government has granted e-visa to over 100 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, on priority, after the targeted attack against the community in Kabul on Saturday, sources told NDTV.

Two people, including a Sikh, were killed as several blasts tore through a gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday, in the latest targeted assault on a place of worship of the Sikh community in Afghanistan.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was retaliation for insults against the Prophet Mohammed, news agency AFP reported.

The attack at Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul's Bagh-e Bala neighborhood lasted for several hours and three attackers were killed by the Taliban forces, according to reports.

The gurdwara was attacked early in the morning when up to 30 people were inside, the BBC reported.

The attackers, a spokesperson for the Afganistan Interior Ministry said, had detonated a vehicle full of explosives outside of the gurdwara but that resulted in no casualties.

"First the gunmen threw a hand grenade which caused a fire near the gate of the gurdwara," the Associated Press quoted the Interior Ministry spokesman as saying.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "barbaric" terrorist attack and said he was praying for the safety and well-being of the devotees.

"Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and well-being of the devotees," PM Modi tweeted.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also strongly condemned the attack and said the government was closely monitoring the situation following the incident.

"The cowardly attack on Gurdwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community," Mr Jaishankar tweeted.

"We are deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Kabul about an attack on a sacred Gurdwara in that city. We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further details on the unfolding developments," the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs also tweeted.

Saturday's incident is the latest targeted attack on a place of worship of a minority community in Afghanistan.

In March 2020, at least 25 worshippers were killed and eight others injured when a heavily armed suicide bomber stormed Har Rai Sahib, a prominent gurdwara in the heart of Kabul, in one of the deadliest attacks on the minority Sikh community in the country.

ISIS had claimed responsibility for the attack in the Shor Bazar area.

NDTV

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Oh no

 

[sweep_shot]

This was done by ISIS. Not Taliban.

Cowardly attack. ISIS is a coward group.

 

[MenInG]

A Sikh secessionist group on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul by "non-state" actors, while also denouncing "state-sponsored" attacks on the temples situated in India.

"In India, starting from July 4, 1955, attacks on Sikh temples are always state-sponsored, General Counsel Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a videotaped statement as he condemned the attack in Afghanistan carried out "by non-state actors".

Pannun went on to urge the Sikh community to support the Khalistan referendum to create a Sikh homeland in "Indian occupied Punjab".

“Once Sikhs have Khalistan, all those involved in non-state and state terrorism against Sikhs will be held accountable under the international laws,” he maintained.

The Sikh leader called upon Sikh bodies such as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to openly support the January 26 voting for the referendum in India instead of pleading the Modi regime for help in this regard.

'Temple is not Indian embassy'

Meanwhile, in another statement directed towards the terrorist outfit ISIS, Pannun said: Killing innocent Sikhs was not a sign of bravery. "Sikhs are not Indians and a Sikh place of worship, temple, is not an Indian embassy."

The SFJ leader advised the outfit not to use violence against the members of the community, but instead, organise peaceful global protests against India in response to the remarks made against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

An attack on a Sikh temple in the Afghan capital of Kabul killed at least two people and injured seven on Saturday, following a blast in a car loaded with explosives, officials said.

A day earlier, the attack in the Afghan capital killed two people and injured seven, following a blast in a car loaded with explosives.

Some attacks in recent months in Afghanistan have been claimed by the militant group.

Sikhs are a tiny religious minority in largely Muslim Afghanistan, comprising about 300 families before the country fell to the Taliban. But many left afterwards, say members of the community and media.

Like other religious minorities, Sikhs have been a continual target of violence in the country. An attack at another temple in Kabul in 2020 that killed 25 was also claimed by Islamic State.

(With additional input from Reuters)