25 killed in attack on Sikh worshippers in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 25 people were killed and eight others wounded after gunmen attacked a Sikh religious complex in the heart of Kabul on Wednesday.

One armed man entered the dharamsala in the temple complex in the limits of 1^st police district of Kabul and the attack began at around 7:45.

The Ministry of Interior said at least 25 people were killed and eight others wounded in the attack that lasted six hours.

Tariq Aryan, MoI spokesman, said existence of residential homes was a reason the attack lasted several but many Sikh people who had been trapped inside the complex were rescued.

MP Narindra Singh Khalsa said at least 150 Sikhs were present at the the gurdwara for worshiping when the attack unfolded.

Senator Anar Kali told reporters in the area that a number of families lived in the area.

Residents of the area said besides human losses, the attack also caused financial losses to area people.

The Taliban in a statement denied involvement in the attack on the gurdwara.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Haqqani Network orchestrated the attack in connivance with Quetta Shura on the Indian embassy in Kabul.

The source claimed security forces had received intelligence information about the attack and they strengthened the embassy’s protection.

He said after the attackers failed to target the embassy and stormed the gurdwara and killed innocent people. They planned to target the embassy because of India’s strong support to the Afghan government, he claimed.

More than a dozen people were killed in Jalalabad in 2018, when a suicide bombing hit the Sikh community. That attack had been claimed by the Islamic State.

Eleven people had been killed and as many others injured, according to a local TV channel, which reported: “Three attackers are still fighting with security forces and one has been shot.”

Meanwhile, India denounced the assault, saying: “We convey our sincerest condolences to the immediate family members of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured.

“India stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the affected families of the Hindu and Sikh community in Afghanistan,” a statement from the External Affairs Ministry said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh slammed the attack as tragic and unfortunate. He urged President Ashraf Ghani to bring the perpetrators to justice.

sa/ma

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