(MENAFN- Afghanistan Times) By Farhad Naibkhel
KABUL: At least 25 people have been killed and more than 8
wounded, after a suicide attacker stormed a Sikh worshipping site in Kabul on
Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior has said, in one of the deadliest attacks
on the minority community in the country.
The Islamic State terrorist group have said they carried out
the attack, the deadliest for months. But sources in the government blame
Haqqani terrorist Network for the attack.
A terrorist stormed a Sikh temple in Shor Bazar area at
around 7:45 am in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 25 minority Sikh
people and other civilians and wounding 8, said spokesperson to the Ministry of
Interior, Tariq Arian. As many as 150 Sikh worshippers are said to have been
inside the building.
Shortly after the attack, Afghan forces took to the area and
killed the assailant after nearly six hours of siege that killed 25 people, he
added, Security forces rescued more than 80 Sikh worshippers including women
and children who were trapped.
Earlier this month, the Taliban attacked a ceremony marking
the anniversary of Jihadi leaders Abdul Ali Mazari, killing more than 27
people.
This the latest in a wave of terrorist attacks on
worshipping sites including mosques and temples in Afghanistan. Similar
terrorist attacks happened before. Over the past years, the Taliban had bombed
or attacked several mosques, killing tens of worshippers.
The attack drew ire domestically and internationally. Dr.
Abdullah in a tweet voiced deep sadness over the terrorist attack on Sikh minority
community. 'The atrocity against this peaceful community is unconscionable.
Afghanistan is a rich and colorful multicultural country. Evildoers will fail
to destroy it. We will spare no effort to bring the culprits to justice,' he
said.
National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib in tweeter said
that 'I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on our Sikh sisters and brothers
in Kabul and condole with the victims. This attack shows why a comprehensive
ceasefire is a need and why we insisted on a peace process that puts an end to
all forms of violence against the Afghan people. 'I applaud the valor and professionalism
demonstrated by our ANDSF in the face of terror rescuing worshipers, women and
children.'
Spokesperson for the President, Sediq Sediqi, in a tweet
said, 'Yet another heartless, cowardly terrorist attack on a worshipping place
in Kabul. The Afghan government strongly condemns today's senseless attack on
Sikh temple. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of this heinous
act.'
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in
tweeter while condemning the attack over Sikh temple, expressed concerns over
continuation of systematic attack on minority religious in the country.
U.S Embassy in Kabul in tweeter said that 'our condolences
to the families and victims in today's attack against the Sikh temple. We
strongly condemn these fanatics and criminals who target a house of worship to
harm innocents. Peace will only come when people resolve their differences
through words, not guns.'
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