2000 emergency calls received at India's Afghan special cell; MEA responds to 6000 WhatsApp queries

India's Afghanistan special cell, which was set up just days after the Taliban toppled the democratically-elected Ashraf Ghani government and seized the country, has received 2,000 emergency calls so far.

The Afghanistan special cell was established to have a smooth coordination process for stranded Indians and Afghans who wish to seek assistance from India in the wake of the turmoil situation in the war-ravaged country.

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As per sources in the government establishment, the External Affairs Ministry has so far reverted to 6,000 WhatsApp queries and replied to 1,200 emails for evacuation of stranded Indians. 

So far, about 300 Indians have been evacuated by the Indian Air Force in three sorties. Over 60 Afghan nationals, mostly Sikhs and Hindus, have also been evacuated. As per the sources, they have been given six months emergency visa initially and if the situation normalises they can go back.

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On Sunday, a total of 168 passengers were evacuated from Kabul, including several Afghan nationals. 

Besides, an Air India plane carrying 87 Indians also landed in Delhi on Sunday. People who have arrived in Delhi have undergone a Covid RT PCR test.

The US and the NATO forces had evacuated a total of 135 Indians in the last few days. These Indians were kept in Doha before being flown to Delhi.

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• Afghan special cell
• Afghanistan
• India
• MEA helpline numbers
• WhatsApp queries
• email responses
• External Affairs Ministry
• Indian evacuation