The Islamic State, on Sunday, 19 June, claimed responsibility for the attack on a gurdwara in Afghanistan that occurred on Saturday, stating it was in retaliation for 'insults' to Prophet Muhammad, AFP reported.
A group of unidentified gunmen had opened fire inside Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul on Saturday.
In a statement posted on its Amaq propaganda site late Saturday, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of the Islamic State militant group, said the attack targeted Hindus and Sikhs and the "apostates" who protected them in "an act of support for the Messenger of Allah".
The terror group said one of its fighters "penetrated a temple for Hindu and Sikh polytheists" in Kabul, after killing the guard, and opened fire on the worshippers inside with his machine gun and hand grenades.
The terror attack on the gurdwara came days after the ISKP in a video message warned of an attack against Hindus to avenge the remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two former BJP functionaries.
It was the latest targeted assault on a place of worship of the Sikh community in Afghanistan. The three attackers were killed by the Taliban forces.
Countries across the globe had witnessed protests after former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made certain remarks earlier this month about Prophet Muhammad.
India Gives e-visas to Over 100 Sikhs, Hindus in Afghanistan
India has given e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus living in Afghanistan following a deadly terror attack on a gurudwara in Kabul, government sources said on Sunday.
The electronic visas have been given "on priority" to these people by the Ministry of Home Affairs, they said.
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.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India has 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," Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar had said in response to the attacks.
(With inputs from AFP and The Hindu.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)