SGPC aid for kin of 14 Afghan blast victims

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 22

The families of 14 Sikhs, killed in a suicide bomb attack in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad last year, got financial aid worth Rs 1 lakh each from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The ones killed were part of a delegation that was going to meet Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. SGPC president Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal had promised them help.

Heading the delegation of the Aghan Sikhs, Heera Singh thanked the SGPC. He said, “We are grateful to the SGPC that it held our hands during our toughest time. The turbulent times in Afghanistan have prompted many Sikh families to move out, leaving everything behind.” The injured ones will also be provided Rs 50,000 soon. “The Sikh population has reduced significantly in Afghanistan over the years to which our government needs to think upon. The attack that took place last year has resulted in migration of other families from there,” said SGPC Chief Secretary Roop Singh.