Nidan Singh Sachdeva, a Sikh community leader of Afghanistan, who was kidnapped in Paktia on June 22, has been released from captivity on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
Here are five components of the story:
- “We convey our appreciation to the government of Afghanistan and tribal elders from the area, whose efforts secured the return of Nidan Singh,” tweeted MEA spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava.
- While expressing its appreciation for the efforts made for his release, the foreign affairs ministry reiterated its concern over continued targeting of minorities by terrorists at the behest of their “external supporters”.
- In a recent decision, India has decided to facilitate the return of Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members facing security threats in Afghanistan to India.
- Nidan Singh, a helper at a local gurudwara, was kidnapped by unidentified persons in Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan last month, leading to a strong condemnation from the Indian government.
- Indian government had been in touch with Afghanistan government for release of Nidan Singh.