Indian Embassy in Kabul evacuated

New Delhi, Aug 17, 2021, Indiablooms

The Indian government on Tuesday announced the Indian envoy to Kabul and the staff will be shifted to India immediately amid tensions in Afghanistan following the capturing of the nation by Taliban.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted:"In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately."

Sources told UNI a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force waited in Kabul for a whole day on Monday, and could take off only on Tuesday morning.

Around 140 people are being evacuated through this flight, the sources added.

Another C-17 aircraft had returned with some evacuees on Monday, and an Air India flight brought 129 evacuees, both Indian and Afghan nationals, on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the airport in Kabul has been re-opened for operations at 3:35 local time, US Army Brig. Gen. William Taylor told reporters.

"As of 15:35 local time, the air field was open for operations. Shortly after, the first C-17 landed with US Marines on board. The next C-17 is preparing to land as we speak," Taylor said during a press briefing on Monday.

Situation in Afghanistan became tense ever since the foreign forces started leaving the country.