Afghan envoy’s daughter abduction in Islamabad shocking: India

KABUL (Pajhwok): The reported abduction of daughter of the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan is a “shocking incident,” said an official of the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi reminded that India considered it fair to comment on the issue concerning two other countries as the authorities in Pakistan have dragged India into the incident.

“This is of course a shocking incident. This involves two other countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan, and usually we would not comment on it. However, since the Interior Minister of Pakistan has dragged India into it, I would only like to say that even by their standards, Pakistan’s denial of the victim’s account is stooping to a new low,” said Mr. Bagchi, referring to the July 16 incident in Islamabad.

Selsela Alikhil, 26, daughter of Ambassador Najibullah Alikhil, was abducted by unknown persons for nearly five hours who physically assaulted and left her near her home. The issue acquired a serious shape with a strong protest from the Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan. Pakistan has sent out mixed signals on the issue till now. Islamabad initially began an investigation but later, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid urged the victim to join investigation. Afghanistan has since withdrawn the envoy from Islamabad in protest.

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