India on Monday strongly condemned the abduction of Nedan Singh, a Sikh community leader in Afghstan, by terrorists, and said that targeting and persecution of the minority community members by terror groups at the behest of their external supporters is a matter of grave concern.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in response to media queries that India is in touch with Afghstan government for ensuring safety, security and well being of the minority community there.
"We strongly condemn the abduction of Nedan Singh, a leader of the Hindu and Sikh Community of Afghstan, by terrorists. The targeting and persecution of the minority community members by terrorists at the behest of their external supporters is a matter of grave concern," Srivastava said.
"India is in touch with the Government of Afghstan for ensuring safety, security and well being of the minority community in Afghstan. We hope that the Government of Afghstan would be able to secure safe and early release of Nedan Singh," he said.
Nedan Singh, who belongs to Tsamk district in the Paktia province, was employed as a Gursewak (helper) at the local Gurdwara. He was kidnapped from the Paktia province in Eastern Afghstan last week.
( With inputs from ANI )