Reports of 150 Indians Being Kidnapped By Taliban near Kabul Airport False: Gov. Sources

Several reports emerged on Saturday claiming that Taliban fighters captured more than 150 people, most of them Indians, from around Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Reacting to the reports, government sources said all Indians in Kabul are safe and that "authorities are in touch with them".

"They were offered lunch and have now left for the Kabul airport," government sources were quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

However, Ahmadullah Waseq, one of the Taliban spokesperson, has rejected these reports claiming the abduction of around 150 Indian citizens from Kabul. He said members of the group were present around Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and would not allow people to enter the airport, local media reported.

The Indian government said all Indian nationals are safe and authorities are in touch with them. Indian government sources said a team of officials is already in Kabul to help facilitate the safe return of Indian citizens stranded outside the airport.

Many Afghan journalists claimed that over 100-150 Indians were kidnapped by the Taliban from outside the Kabul airport. Minutes after these reports surfaced on social media, local journalists said all the Indians were safe and will be moved back to the Kabul airport. They said the Indians were rounded up by the Taliban and taken somewhere for checks.

Meanwhile, there is no official confirmation yet from the Indian Government or US/NATO forces on the ground. However, the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation.