Blasts, Gunfire Kill Two in Kabul Gurdwara; India Condemns Attack

Multiple people are suspected to be dead. More details awaited.

(Photo: PTI)

A group of unidentified gunmen opened fire inside Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday, 18 June, reported multiple local news outlets, adding that two blasts have rocked the place of worship.

According to reports, Ahmed, a security guard at the gurdwara and Sawinder Singh, a man over 60 years from Ghazni, whose family resides in Delhi, died in the attack.

“One Sikh man has died in the terror attack in Kabul. He has been identified as Shavinder Singh. Two others have been injured, while Sri Guru Granth Sahib Saroop has been saved and taken out.”

Rajya Sabha MP Vikram Sahney told The Tribune.

“Gunmen have opened fire in the gurdwara. We are on the other side of the building right now. Some people are suspected to be dead, but details will be clear only when we move inside,” Gurnam Singh, the president of the Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh Karte Parwan, told The Indian Express.

What Happened?

India World Forum President Puneet Singh Chandhoke told The Hindu that the Gurdwara’s main prayer hall where the Guru Granth Sahib was kept had been set on fire after indiscriminate firing targeting the devotees.

"We have been urging the Indian government to issue e-visas to the Sikhs who have been stranded in Afghanistan since last year,” Chandhoke told The Hindu.

Several media reports are attributing the attacks to the terrorist outfit, Islamic State (IS).

At Least 7-8 People Trapped: BJP's Sirsa

As per info so far, three people have come out (of the Gurudwara) - two of them sent to hospital. Guard of the Gurudwara – a Muslim – died of bullets. At least 7-8 people are still believed to be trapped inside but numbers are not confirmed. Firing is still going on.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa of the BJP told ANI

According to news agency ANI, the Sikh Sangat is believed to be stuck in the gurdwara.

“The gunmen who attacked the Kabul Gurdwara are probably from the Daesh group (Islamic State), rivals of the Taliban. The Taliban fighters have reached the spot and a fight is ongoing between them. The gurdwara is damaged and 4 Sikhs are missing."

Punjab Rajya Sabha MP Vikram Sahney told The Indian Express.

Condemn the Cowardly Attack: S Jaishankar

The Ministry of External Affairs in India said that they were monitoring the situation in Kabul.

"The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. We've been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first & foremost concern is for the welfare of the community."

S Jaishankar

Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also condemned the attack and appealed to the Punjab and Central governments to provide security to the survivors of the attack.

"I appeal to the Punjab government and the Centre to provide security to Sikhs who are present there or bring them to India," ANI quoted Dhami as saying.