Personnel were evacuated from Kandahar because of intense fighting nearby: MEA

The official spokesperson emphasised that the evacuation ‘is a purely temporary measure’ and that the mission is ‘not closed’.

India has evacuated personnel from the Consulate General in Kandahar in a temporary measure in view of the fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday. Official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the mission is ‘not closed’ and the visa-related work has been shifted to the Indian Embassy in Kabul. “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,” said Mr. Bagchi emphasising that the evacuation “is a purely temporary measure”. The reiteration of the “temporary” nature of the closure came a day after The Hindu reported that India has closed diplomatic operations at Kandahar temporarily. The Indian personnel were seen on Saturday leaving the premises of the mission in a cavalcade of official vehicles.