ISIS takes responsibility for Kabul gurdwara attack
A group of unidentified gunmen stormed into the Karte-e-Parwan gurdwara in Kabul, on Saturday (June 18), and opened fire at the Sikh devotees erforming prayers at the place of worship. The dreaded militant group, ISIS, has taken responsibility for the attack, calling it a ‘retaliation’ to the remarks made against the Prophet by a BJP spokesperson in India.
The recent comments made by the BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, on Prophet Muhammad have sown seeds of protests in many parts of the world. The Taliban has promised to take necessary measures against the perpetrators of the attack.
According to an AFP report, the Islamic State posted a message on its Amaq Propaganda site stating that the attack targeted Hindus and Sikhs and the ‘apostates’ who protected them in ‘an act of support for the Messenger of Allah’.
Also Watch: Gunmen storm Kabul’s Karte Parwan Gurdwara
Media reports said that there were 30 people inside the temple at the time of the attack.
“I appeal to Punjab govt and Central govt to provide security to Sikhs who are present there or bring them here (to India),” says Harjinder Singh Dhami, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on the attack on Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s Kabul pic.twitter.com/0LjOnBp625
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2022
The Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Nafi Takor on Saturday (June 18) confirmed that the attackers of the temple have been killed. He also confirmed the death of a Sikh man in the gurdwara and an IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) soldier in the cross-firing. Also, around seven others have also been injured during the firing.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Saturday to express his concern: “Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and well-being of the devotees.”
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S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs of India also tweeted saying that the cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. “We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community,” he added.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann also took to Twitter to express his condemnation, saying: Very condemnable! This isn’t the first such incident. Attacks on minorities happen every 3-4 months. I urge MEA and PM to summon the Afghan ambassador and give a strong message that Govt of India stands strongly for the protection of minorities.”
There was a similar gruesome attack at the gurdwara in March 2020 that claimed about 25 lives.
Also read: 25 killed, eight injured in attack on gurdwara in Afghanistan
