Guru Granth Sahib removed from Gurudwara attacked in Kabul, taken to safe location

KABUL: The holy Guru Granth Sahib from the gurudwara in Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul, which was on Saturday attacked by unidentified assailants, was retrieved from the complex, from which plumes of smoke were seen billowing out after the attack early Saturday morning, according to visuals posted on social media.

At least two people — a Sikh devotee and a Muslim security guard — were killed in the attack on the Gurdwara Karte Parwan. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) had in an earlier statement said that a number of unknown armed individuals had entered the “dharamshala” and used a grenade that resulted in injuries to two people.

Abdul Nafay Takor, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that seven people were injured in the attack. The injured have been evacuated hospital, he said.

According to Tolo News, residents heard multiple blasts in the vicinity of a “dharmashala” in the Kartae-Parwan area in Kabul. According to the Afghan interior ministry statement, an explosive-laden vehicle aiming to target the “dharmashala” was thwarted before reaching its goal.

Residents said they heard several blasts and gunfire in the area. The attackers were killed, the Afghan minister was quoted as saying by the Afghan news outlet.

Visuals posted by locals on social media shows a barefoot man carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head. The visuals show two or three more people, all walking without footwear accompanying him.

According to Sikh religious belief, the Saroop, a physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, is considered as a living guru. The transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct and as a mark of respect, the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.

According to reports, the Holy Book was taken to the residence of Gurnam Singh, president, Gurdwara Karte Parwan.

The photographs and videos shared by Afghanistan news outlet Tolo News showed thick black plumes of smoke billowing out from the area.

According to sources, around 25 to 30 people were present inside the gurudwara complex for their morning prayers when the attackers entered the premises. Around 10-15 people managed to escape but the gurdwara’s guard, identified as Ahmad, was killed by the assailants.

Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the gurdwara early Saturday morning.

Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the gurdwara caught fire. No group has claimed responsibility so far.

“The sound of explosions was heard in Karte Parwan area of Kabul city. Details about the nature and casualties of this incident are not yet known,” Afghanistan’s Tolo News had said.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.
In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib gurudwara in Kabul’s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI)