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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K'taka Minister demands international status for Hubballi, Belagavi airports after Madurai move
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the Centre declaring Madurai airport as an international airport while not extending a similar status to Hubballi and Belagavi airports in Karnataka, calling the move "discriminatory and unacceptable".
The minister said the central government may have taken this decision keeping the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections in mind.
However, its indifferent attitude towards Karnataka’s demand is questionable, he added.
"The Narendra Modi-led central government has declared Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport but has not taken a similar decision regarding Hubballi and Belagavi airports in Karnataka. This reflects a discriminatory approach and is not acceptable. How can it be butter for them and lime for us?” he questioned in a statement.
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The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to declare Madurai airport as an international airport.
Madurai is a prominent city in Tamil Nadu, and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision was taken keeping in view the aspirations of the people of that city.
Patil recalled that a letter had been written on June 24, 2025, to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, requesting that Hubballi and Belagavi airports be upgraded to international status, as this would greatly benefit the North Karnataka region.
"In this context, Union Minister and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi, Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar, and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai should raise their voices and stand firmly for the interests of the State," he urged.
The minister stressed that at least one of the two airports — Hubballi or Belagavi — should be declared an international airport.
"If both are upgraded, it would be even more welcome. The central government must recognise the State’s requirement," Patil added.
