An Indian embassy employee in Afghanistan who left his country on Sunday and arrived in Delhi described the harrowing experience that a group of Indians and Afghans had to endure before boarding their flight to India.
“We were taken to a security station, which was similar to a police station, by the Taliban. They were taking our names down and questioning if we were Indians or Afghans. They do not want Afghan citizens to leave the country. They say everything is OK, but we all know the truth. We were permitted to leave after some clarifications and negotiating,” he stated.
The guy, who did not want to be recognised because he was afraid of retaliation because his family was still in Afghanistan, was one of the 168 passengers that arrived in Delhi on a C17 Globemaster on Sunday.
After a horrific last 24 hours in Kabul, infants in their parents’ arms, the elderly in wheelchairs, and small children guided by their parents eventually made it to India. Before being successfully evacuated early on Sunday, many of them were stuck and questioned by the Taliban.
Those who made it out of Afghanistan were relieved, as the situation there remains dire. This is the group who battled to get to the airport and had to bargain with the Taliban before being allowed to board the plane.
On Saturday, there were claims that the Taliban kidnapped 150 Indians, however it was later clarified that these reports were false.
Thousands of people queue outside Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, trying to leave the country safely as they face an uncertain future.
“Thousands of people are gathered outside the airport. People, especially those who have worked with the government, are feeling apprehensive when transferring, according to the Indian embassy worker.
“Afghans working in the Indian embassy, such as myself, feel insecure. They recently assaulted some of our Afghan colleagues and harassed diplomatic employees in the country,” he added.
“If you have a good car, they will steal it,” he continued, describing the scenario on the ground. It’s a bigger difficulty if you’ve held a high-ranking post or worked for the government.”
He claimed that outsiders intruded on people’s houses in the name of the Taliban on numerous occasions. “They’re always dressed casually; they don’t wear a uniform or anything.” “They invade residences in the guise of the Taliban, stealing jewellery and money,” the embassy employee explained.
The Indian Air Force’s C17 Globemaster jumbo transport aircraft, which landed at Hindon Air Base on the outskirts of Delhi on Sunday morning, evacuated 50 Afghans and 150 Indians from Kabul.
On Sunday, more than 300 people were hauled in. Commercial flights were conducted from Tajikistan and Doha, where many Indians had been flown earlier from Afghanistan, in addition to Air Force aircraft.
Two Sikh Parliamentarians from Afghanistan were among those who boarded the Air Force Flight. Narendra Singh Khalsa, one of them, cried uncontrollably as he described the circumstances in his homeland.
“They came to our house and took everything away; it’s a dire scenario out there. All of the accomplishments made over the last 20 years have been lost, and we’re back to square one,” Narendra Singh Khalsa said.
Anarkali Kaur, the other legislator, claimed she remained in her office until last week, when everything changed in two hours. “Everyone is having challenges, from ordinary people to human rights campaigners. We appeal that the Indian authorities assist all those who remain stranded. We are grateful to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for all their assistance in getting us here,” she stated.
In the days ahead, the mission to evacuate the surviving Indians is likely to continue. Over 500 Indians have been returned so far, but there are still many more yearning to be free of the Taliban’s tyranny.
