A 40-year-old Indian woman working with Aga Khan development network, an international NGO, has been abducted in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul.
The woman, who has been identified as Judith D’Souza, hails from Kolkata and was working as senior technical adviser in Kabul.
Sources have said that D’Souza was kidnapped at around 10:40 pm on Thursday night from right outside her office.
Technical and surveillance teams, who have been trying to locate her, said her phone remained switched on for some time after she was kidnapped, reported News18. There have been no ransom demands that have been made public so far.
An official source has said that the Indian Embassy is in touch with senior Afghan authorities and the government is also in touch with her family in Kolkata.
All efforts are being made by Afghanistan authorities to secure early release of Indian woman abducted in Kabul: Sources
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 10, 2016
It was only last month that the Indian Embassy had issued a security advisory for Indians residing in Afghanistan. Here’s what the statement said:
All Indians residing and travelling to Afghanistan are advised that the security situation in the country remains highly volatile. Terrorist attacks have taken place in the country against foreigners and are expected to continue. There is also the risk of kidnapping and hostage taking throughout the Afghanistan. The Embassy advises all Indians in Afghanistan to live and work with adequate security precautions.
Meanwhile, her sister Jerome D’Souza has appealed to Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, for help
@SushmaSwaraj My sister Judith D’Souza abducted in Kabul. Request your immediate help to rescue her. My old parents are very distressed..
— jerome dsouza (@jeromedsouza) June 10, 2016
Reacting to her plea, Swaraj assured all help to rescue Judith
I have spoken to the sister of Judith D’ Souza (Indian woman abducted in Kabul) ).We will spare no efforts to rescue her: EAM Sushma Swaraj
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 10, 2016
A distraught mother’s anguish was apparent
Just want Govt to bring my daughter back safely: Mother of Judith D’ Souza(Indian abducted in Kabul) pic.twitter.com/5Ut3JywcPl
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 10, 2016
Other friends were hopeful that she would return safely
Having worked closely with Judith D’Souza, I know how strong she is. She will come out of Kabul safely. Praying for her safe return.
— Raymond Rozario (@VladRaymond) June 10, 2016
I hope Judith D’souza returns to us unharmed. #Afghanistan
— kaveri (@ikaveri) June 10, 2016
Sad over the abduction of social activist Judith D’souza in Kabul Afghanistan, women abduction never #Afghans act! https://t.co/HDvTIbk8v2
— Sanna Ejaz ( سیاله ) (@sanaejaz2) June 10, 2016
(Feature Image Source: Twitter/NDTV)
