‘Avoid travel as Af situation dangerous’
As fighting rages in Afghanistan, the Indian embassy there on Saturday said the situation “remains dangerous” and advised all Indian nationals there to exercise caution.
The advisory came days after the IAF planes evacuated more than 50 diplomatic staff of the Indian consulate in Kandhar .
The note of caution by the embassy in Kabul on Saturday urged Indians staying, visiting, and working in Afghanistan to exercise utmost vigilance at all times and avoid all non-essential travel as security situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous. It also warned Indian nationals are not exceptions, and they additionally face a serious threat of kidnapping.
The detailed advisory also asked the Indian nationals to remain vigilant with security at workplace, place of residence and also during movement to their places of work. It is recommended that all types of non-essential movements be avoided. Movements especially during peak commuting hours should also be avoided. While traveling on roads, maintain distance from possible targets like military convoys, official vehicles of Government and Ministries, high ranking officials, law enforcement agencies, it cautioned.
Indians were also asked to refrain from going to crowded markets, shopping complexes, restaurants and other public places. All essential movement may please be kept as discrete as possible, it said.
It also advised traveling outside the main cities should be strictly avoided. Moreover, all Indian nationals arriving in Afghanistan are advised to register with the Embassy.
The Indian companies in Afghanistan were advised once again to make special security arrangements in respect of their Indian employees deployed at project sites.
Special attention was drawn to members of the Indian media travelling to Afghanistan to cover events through ground reports. Media persons covering events on the ground was advised to establish contact with the Indian Embassy for a personalized briefing including specific advice for the locale they are traveling to.
The Ministry of External Affairs on July 12 had said after the evacuation India-based personnel were brought back for the time being in view of intense fighting near Kandahar city.
Describing the pull out of the India-based personnel as a temporary measure, the Ministry had said the consulate continues to operate through the local staff members.
“The safety and security of our personnel is paramount. The consulate general of India in Kandahar has not been closed. However, due to the intense fighting near Kandahar city, India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being,” Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said.
There were reports that at least two foreign missions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, have closed their operation in view of the escalating violence in the region.