Using Air Force Planes, India Evacuates 170 Citizens, Including The Ambassador From Afghanistan

ILLUSTRATION/Kabul, Afghanistan/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - Indian Air Force planes evacuated more than 170 citizens from Kabul, including the Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Indian government officials said as diplomats and civilians rushed out of the country after the Taliban seized the capital. The plane landed in the western Indian city of Jamnagar to refuel for Delhi, Jamnagar collector Sourabh Pardhi told Reuters.

Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon said at least 200 Indian mission personnel in Afghanistan had been evacuated in three days, along with Indians working in the country.

"You can't imagine how nice it would be to be back home," Tandon said.

"We returned home safely, safely, and without any accidents or misfortunes that befell our residents," he added.

Tandon described the situation in Afghanistan as "fluid".

He said a small proportion of Indians remained in the country and efforts were being made to be brought back by the authorities.

Thousands of residents desperate to flee Afghanistan thronged Kabul Airport on Monday after Taliban troops stormed the capital without a fight, urging the United States to halt evacuations.

India, which invests billions of dollars in development projects across Afghanistan, has set up four consulates in the country in addition to its embassy in Kabul.

The consulate that last operated in Mazar-i-Sharif closed a week ago, days before Tabliban insurgents took control of the northern city where Afghan troops easily surrendered.