June 18
Kabul, Afghanistan
UNITED SIKHS is shocked by the news of terror attack on Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul on June 18, 2022. The Gurdwara was breached by heavily armed terrorists at 6 am local time today. In addition to a four hour gun battle, they also exploded about 20 bombs inside the Gurdwara, which completely demolished the Gurdwara.
As of this statement, one Sikh gentleman, one Gurudwara security guard and one member of the Taliban forces are among the dead. The Taliban forces were engaged in a long drawn gunfight against the terrorists in defending the Gurdwara .
We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, such a heinous terrorist attack on a sacred space where people gather to worship. It is an unacceptable affront not only to the Sikhs but to all humanity. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families. We reaffirm our solidarity and resolve in our prayer to bring a healing to those who are suffering as a result of this terror attack. We remain united in supporting the victims and their families.
“The Gurudwara has been demolished and completely destroyed, a place which was sacred to us. Bhai S. Sawinder Singh ji martyred his life while saving the Gurudwara and Sangat. We will never forget this moment of extreme grief. Karte Parwan was the central Gurdwara of Afghanistan and the attack on it was really despicable. The attack injured several others who were hospitalized. One of Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Swaroops was taken home by S. Raj Singh,” said Talwindar Singh, who was evacuated to Mexico under a political asylum arranged by UNITED SIKHS.
There were 3 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib ji in the Gurdwara Sahib when the attack took place. All of the saroops have been safely evacuated from the Gurdwara sahib.
Such acts of terrorist attack directly undermines the international peace and security and endangers global public order of human dignity.
We are also worried that SIKH identity, culture and religion continue to be under attack globally because of their distinct appearance and hate driven and malicious motives of the terrorists.
As a global humanitarian and advocacy organization, UNITED SIKHS reiterates our resolve to continue to work with international partners and governments to provide humanitarian assistance and to restore the livelihood of the victims and their families.
We call on international and intergovernmental organizations to not only condemn this act but also take positive steps in ensuring appropriate mechanisms of accountability are in place.
We ask the United States Department of States to evacuate the remaining members of the Sikh and Hindu communities who are under a direction terrorist threat.
Due to this unsafe environment for the minorities in Afghanistan, UNITED SIKHS set up a food bank in that Gurdwara and arranged 141 asylum visas for Afghan minorities for relocation to Mexico. We are very grateful to the Mexican government for their compassion and generosity,” said Gurvinder Singh, International Humanitarian Aid Director.
We are closely following this horrific event as it unfolds; and we will provide more updates as information becomes available. Our team is in constant touch with members of the minority community residing in Kabul.
Gurvinder Singh
International Humanitarian Aid Director
Recognize the Human Race as One
