Explosions, gunfire rock Sikh Gurdwara in Afghanistan's capital Kabul
Kabul, Jun 18: Several blasts and gunfire hit a Sikh Gurdwara in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday, according to media reports.
The blasts occurred in the Karta Parwan area of Kabul, Tolo news tweeted along with the video after the blasts. Gunfire was also reported from the area.
Karte Parwan Gurdwara is located in the area.
The casualties in the blast were unknown.
"We are deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Kabul about an attack on a sacred Gurudwara 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 in New Delhi tweeted.
Abdul Nafi Takor, a Taliban-appointed spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, confirmed the attack but did not provide further details or say whether there were casualties, The Associated Press reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
"We heard a huge blast in Kart-e-Parwan neighbourhood at around 6 a.m. local time. The blast was followed by another explosion which occurred about half an hour after the first blast. The whole place has now been sealed off," China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted an eyewitness as saying.
The security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures, he said.
The blast sent a column of thick smoke into the sky and triggered panic, the witness said.
"There is fear of possible casualties. Several warning shots were also fired by the security forces," he added.
Community leaders estimate just 140 Sikhs remain in the Taliban-ruled country, mostly in the eastern city of Jalalabad and the capital Kabul.
In March 2020, at least 25 worshippers were killed and eight others injured when a heavily armed suicide bomber stormed a prominent gurudwara in the heart of Kabul, in one of the deadliest attacks on the minority Sikh community in the country.
نوار تصویری؛ بامداد امروز منطقه کارته پروان شهر کابل شاهد انفجارهای پیهم بود.#طلوعنیوز pic.twitter.com/rRFfqx0AEO
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) June 18, 2022
The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 18, 2022
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. https://t.co/ocfuY0RBhN
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Belthangady: The family of late Ramlan Ajhari rebuilt the house of the late Ramlan Ajhari in a program held by Dakshina Kannada District Janiyyatul Muallimin in the premises of Kajur Perdadi Ajmer Khaja Juma Mosque on Thursday. The handover was performed by Khazi Shaikhuna Twakha Ahmed of South Kannada District, Musliyar.
District Janiyyatul Muallimeen President Shansuddin Darimi Pammale Madannur presided over the function. District Janiyatul Muallimeen Secretary Muhammad Navi Mundole welcomed the guests. On this occasion, Engineer Muhammad Twahir Bangerakatte was honored for building a neat house.
District Janiyyatul Muallimin Vice President Ashraf Faizhi Belthangady, SKSBV District Convenor Ashraf Hanifi Karaya, Muhammadali Darimi Kukkaje, SKSSF East District Secretary Harris Kausar, District Muallimin Councilor Abdul Razak Madani Suratkal Range, Rafiq Darimi Moodabidri Range, Phaluluddin Musliar Mangalore Range, Nisar Musliar Bantwala Range, KM, Siddique Faizadi, Karajdi Range Secretary Abdul Aziz Ashshafi, Hamid Faizi Gurupura, and Belthangady Range teachers, members of the board of directors of Kajur Perdadi Ajmer Khaja Juma Mosque, village leaders participated.
