Cabinet Secretary chairs National Crisis Management Committee meeting on Afghan crisis

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

Amid the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan, the Government is huddled in a high-level meeting to work out the rescue of Indians stranded in the crisis-hit nation.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba is currently chairing a meeting to work out solutions.

Top government sources said senior officials of the ministries of external affairs and civil aviation are participating in it.

The meeting is progressing at a time when the Air India has cancelled its New Delhi-Kabul Monday flight, with several Indians still learnt to be left behind in Afghanistan and air route being the only way out of the Taliban-controlled country.

It’s unclear what back channels the government will open up with Afghanistan to bring back its nationals with reports coming in that the Kabul airport had been shut.

Deliberations are under way to work out a plan for evacuation of Indians, said sources.

The Congress earlier on Monday questioned the Centre for “not pressing” adequate efforts to bring back Indian nationals from Afghanistan.

“The government on Sunday said they wouldn’t evacuate Indians and everyone should arrange for themselves to come back. At a time of disturbing visuals coming out of Kabul airport where people were seen running for their lives and jostling one another to get on to planes, how can the government leave Indians stranded in Afghanistan to their fate. Who is responsible for safe evacuation of Indians if not the Government of India,” asked Congress media head Randeep Surjewala.