Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Due to the intense fighting near Kandahar city, India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being.”
“India is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan,” Bagchi said. Further, he added that the safety of personnel is of prime importance; therefore, personnel have been brought back temporarily.
According to the Taliban officials, the group controls 85 per cent of Afghanistan territory, a claim that Afghan government officials have denied.
As the United States and other international forces withdraw their troops after 20 years of war, the Afghan Taliban fighters gain control of the country.
At a press conference in Moscow on Friday, Taliban negotiator Shahabuddin Delawar said that in addition to 85 per cent of Afghanistan’s territory, the group controls around 250 out of 398 districts of the country.
“All administrative bodies and hospitals continue their work on this territory. We ensured their functionality,” said Delawar.
Delawar said that the increasing support of the Taliban under the principle of Islam in Afghanistan has resulted in the withdrawal of US forces, adding that no agreement exists between the US and Taliban not to attack administrative centres left under Kabul’s control.
