In touch with Afghan officials over reports of abduction of Indian: MEA

New Delhi, September 17: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India is closely monitoring the situation and it is in touch with the local authorities in Kabul that is investigating the case of Indian national's abduction in Kabul.

 

 

"We've seen a missing person's reports about a reported Indian national - Bansuri Lal - missing in Kabul. We're in touch with all concerned. We've seen reports about local authorities undertaking investigations. We'll continue to monitor the situation and tell you of any developments," said Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of MEA.

 

 

"We’ll continue to monitor the situation and tell you of any developments," he added.

 

 

 

 

According to some reports, Afghanistan-origin Indian national, identified as Bansri Lal Arendeh, was abducted at gunpoint on Tuesday in Kabul. Arendeh's family lives in Faridabad and he has been engaged in business in Kabul for the last two decades. 

There has been some confusion since Tuesday whether Arendeh was an Indian citizen or an Afghan Hindu. Asked about this issue, Bagchi replied, “I am given to understand that he is an Indian citizen but we are also checking that part.” He declined to go into details, citing the sensitivity of the matter and security concerns.

 

 

Bagchi said a majority of Indian nationals in Afghanistan had been evacuated since the Taliban takeover of Kabul, though some were still in the country. 

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