India Puts Contingency Plans In Place To Evacuate Officials And Diplomats With Kabul Under Taliban

India has put contingency plans to evacuate hundreds of its officials and citizens from Kabul as clashes with the Taliban continue to intensify. Plans are in place for any emergency evacuation that may be needed, as people familiar with the situation have said that the government will not put people’s lives at the Indian embassy and other citizens in Kabul at risk. 

“The government is closely monitoring the fast-paced developments in Afghanistan. We will not put the lives of our staff at the Indian embassy in Kabul at any risk,” an official was quoted as saying

The officials said that the evacuation time of the Indian staffers and citizens in Kabul would be decided depending on the ground situation. 

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Reports from Kabul state that Taliban entered the outskirts of the city. There is widespread panic and fear among the citizens.  

The Taliban have swept through many parts of Afghanistan in the last few days. They have seized control of around 25 of the 34 provincial capitals, such as Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad. 

India this week ruled out the immediate closure of its embassy in Afghanistan amid intense clashes with the Taliban and the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. India confirmed that it would continue to engage with all the stakeholders to work for a comprehensive ceasefire and a political settlement.  

Amid intense clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan, India issued an advisory on August 12, urging its nationals to adhere to the steps announced earlier. This is the fourth advisory in less than two months.  

The Indian Embassy in Afghanistan also said that the guidelines mentioned in the previous advisories are valid and must be followed.  

In May 2021, the US-led military coalition began the pullout of its forces, which led Afghanistan’s long-running conflict to escalate quickly and dramatically. The exercise is expected to be completed before the month ends.     

Across the country, the Taliban have taken control of numerous districts. As per US intelligence assessments, the country’s civilian government could fall to the terror group within months of the withdrawal of US forces.    

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