India grants priority e-visas to Afghan Sikhs, Hindus after Kabul attack

India’s ministry of home affairs has moved to grant emergency e-visas to over 100 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus after Saturday’s attack on a gurdwara in Kart-e-Parwan in Kabul.

Two people, one Sikh and one security force member, were killed in the attack.

According to the Hindustan Times, the e-visas will facilitate the evacuation of Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan.

Officials said India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) will likely investigate the incident. The NIA is already probing the March 25, 2020 attack on another gurdwara in Kabul, in which 27 Sikh devotees including an Indian national were killed.

Indian officials said around 150 Hindus and Sikhs are living in Afghanistan currently.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Saturday’s attack. He said: “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”.