Kabul: For the second time in two weeks, the Taliban vandalised a gurdwara in Kabul, reports said. Heavily armed officials, who claimed to be from a special unit of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, forcibly entered and vandalised Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita at Karte Parwan, Kabul, according to a report from Kabul.
“They intimidated the community present there, and abused the sanctity of the holy place,” said Puneet Singh Chandhok, president of Indian World Forum. According to Chandhok, the Taliban soldiers also razed the home of a former Sikh MP. “They’re not only raiding the gurdwara but also the entire premises of community school attached next to it. The private security guards of the gurdwara initially prevented them from entering but they were also threatened and also manhandled,” he added.
While there was no official response from India, sources said the government was trying to verify the reports. Following the vandalisation of a gurdwara in Kabul last week, the government had said such attacks raised concerns not just for India but for the world and that the international community must continue to insist on fulfilling goals outlined in the August 30 UN Security Council resolution that was adopted under India’s presidency. The UNSC 2593 resolution reaffirmed the importance of upholding human rights, including those of women, children and minorities, and encouraged all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement. It also called upon the Taliban to ensure that the Afghan soil is not used by terrorist groups.
