Several people were feared dead after two blasts and gunfire rocked a Sikh Gurdwara in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Saturday. 

The blasts occurred near Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kart-e-Parwan neighbourhood of Kabul around 6.30 am on Saturday. Around the same time, a group of unidentified gunmen entered gurudwara and opened fire, killing the guard. 

“Gunmen have opened fire in the gurdwara. We are on the other side of the building right now. Some people are suspected to be dead, but details will be clear only when we move inside,” Gurnam Singh, the president of the Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh Karte Parwan, told the Indian Express.

Around 25-30 Afghan Hindus and Sikhs were reportedly present on the premises of the Gurudwara when it was attacked. While some of them managed to flee, around 7-8 people were believed to be trapped. Several Taliban soldiers were also reportedly shot.    

“As per info so far, 3 people have come out (of the Gurudwara) – 2 of them sent to hospital. Guard of the Gurudwara – a Muslim – died of bullets. 7-8 people are still believed to be trapped inside but numbers are not confirmed. Firing is still going on,” BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa told ANI. 

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A video doing the rounds on social media showed smoke billowing out of the Gurudwara. Gunshots can be heard towards the end of the clip.

Watch the video here – 

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 Meanwhile, India said it is closely monitoring the situation.

“We are deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Kabul about an attack on a sacred Gurudwara in that city,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further details on the unfolding developments,” he said.