We live under constant fear, say Kashmiris stuck in Kabul

SRINAGAR — Several Kashmiris, who are stuck in Kabul Afghanistan, live under constant fear and have appealed to the government to evacuate them from there.

There are several Kashmiris who are at present stuck in Afghanistan. Among them, two are working at Bakhtar University in Kabul who have appealed to the government to evacuate them from there. While wife of one of these professors is also stranded there.

Professor Asif Ahmad, who teaches Economics at Bakhtar University, said they live under constant fear there. “We are residing inside the university campus here and are not allowed to go outside. My air ticket for New Delhi was scheduled on Monday but got cancelled due to chaos at the airport,” Asif told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service over the phone.

He has been teaching there for the last four years. “I came to Kabul last month to conduct the examinations of students and was expecting to return home in the third week of August. Now me, my colleague and his wife are stuck here. Our families are worried about our safety. There may be few more Kashmiris who are stuck here. We are in touch with our embassy through emails. What happened in Afghanistan was unexpected,” Asif said while appealing the government to immediately evacuate them from there.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that he spoke to MoS Foreign Affairs, V Muraleedharan for immediate evacuation of professors from Kulgam, teaching at Bakhtar University in Kabul.

“He has assured the government is committed to bring back every citizen safely as soon as possible. I assure the families of Prof Asif Ahmed and Prof Adil Rasool that they are safe and will be home soon,” LG said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs said India is committed to the safe return of all Indians from Afghanistan.

“We will make available flights once Kabul airport opens for commercial ops. In view of the prevailing situation in Kabul, it was decided that our Embassy personnel would be immediately moved to India. This movement has been completed in two phases and the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached New Delhi this afternoon,” the MEA said.