Mandi youth recalls tragic scenes in Afghanistan

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 24

Naveen Thakur, a Sarkaghat youth of Mandi district, experienced tragic scenes in Afghanistan after capture of power by the Taliban there. His family members and relatives were ecstatic when he arrived at his native place at Sarkaghat safely on Monday night.

Talking to mediapersons, Naveen said there was utter chaos in Afghanistan right after the capture of power by the Taliban. Each person was fearing for his life. “I saw people and children being crushed in stampede losing their lives. Many people were seen tossing their children towards British and US soldiers at Kabul airport hoping for their safety,” he said.

“It is very risky to reach the airport in Kabul to catch the flight because midway there was life threat from Taliban, who are keeping a close vigil on the movement of each person,” he added.

“Trouble started from August 15 onward when we came to know that the power had been captured by the Taliban. Since then, the struggle was on to ensure safety and to reach home at Sarkaghat in India” said Naveen.

“As soon as the Taliban captured power, our company officials left the place. Our campus was cordoned by the Taliban security guards, who assured us of our safety. Despite the assurance from Taliban security guards, we were skeptical. Thankfully, they did not harm us,” he remarked.

“When we contacted our company officials for our evacuation, they called the Denmark embassy. We were moved to a hotel near airport, where British soldiers were there to provide security. There was no food and we survived on biscuits for two days,” he remarked.

“On August 22, we were transported in a flight to Tajikistan from where I reached India in an Air India flight,” he said.

On arrival at his home late at night on Monday, Naveen received a warm welcome from his family and relativesNaveen thanked the Centre and the state government.