First Batch Of 11 Afghan Sikhs, Including One Abducted From Gurudwara Last Month, Arrive In India

In a major development, eleven members of the Sikh community from Afghanistan who were granted short-term visa by the Indian Embassy in Kabul, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday (26 July), reports Hindustan Times.

The incoming delegation also includes Nidan Singh Sachdeva who was abducted from a Gurudwara in Paktia province of Afghanistan last month.

This is the first batch of the incoming persecuted Afghani minorities after the recent announcement by Amit Shah led Home Ministry to approve the long term visas of 700 Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan.

As per the report, 600 Sikhs had applied for long term visas to India after the dastardly terror attack on a religious gathering at a Gurudwara in the heart of Kabul on 25 March. Over 25 Sikh men, women and children were killed.

Many members of the Sikh community are currently seeking refuge in the Kabul Gurudwara after fearing for their safety. The targeting of the community though has continued after a Nidan was abducted in June while he was going to a Gurudwara to perform sewa.

He was subsequently rescued from the Haqqani network by Afghani forces.