India condemns terrorist attack on Kabul gurdwara

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 25

The government has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Gurudwara Guru Har Rai in Kabul and commended the Afghan forces for their brave response.

Making a pointed reference to the targeting of a minority place of worship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) suggested there was a pattern behind them. It also offered to extend all possible assistance to the affected families of the Hindu and Sikh communities of Afghanistan.

“Such cowardly attacks on the places of religious worship of the minority community, especially at this time of COVID 19 pandemic, is reflective of the diabolical mindset of the perpetrators and their backers,’’ said an MEA statement while conveying the government’s sincerest condolences to the immediate family members of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

The MEA said the Afghan security forces had shown exemplary courage and dedication in protecting the Afghan people and securing the country.

The attack was also condemned by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh who asked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to track down the perpetrators and “look after our people’’. The reaction by Union Minister Hardeep Puri was close to the MEA statement by stressing on the “minority” aspect. “These killings are a grim reminder of atrocities that continue to be inflicted upon religious minorities in some countries and the urgency with which their lives and religious freedom have to be safeguarded,’’ he noted.