Kolkata: The family of Judith D'Souza, the Indian woman abducted in Kabul on Friday has expressed hope that India and Afghanistan will act soon to have her released.
The woman development worker was abducted from from Taimani area of Kabul on Thursday night. 40-year-old Judith is a senior technical adviser with the Aga Khan Foundation, an international NGO, reports said.
“It happened in a different country. The government of that country should take steps. She liked the place as she said there was a lot of work to be done,” her sister Agnes D’Souza told the media here.
“But if such a thing happens, who would want to go back. I am asking every channel to do their part. The government of India must do something and get my sister back. I want her back,” she added.
Asked about Taliban involvement in the crime, she said: “I don’t know.”
Judith’s family came to know about the development at around 1.30 a.m. on Friday from the Indian embassy in Kabul.
“We are waiting for more information and then we will act accordingly,” said the sister.
“I tried the embassy (in Kabul) but it is closed as it is Friday. People in Delhi are trying on our behalf to contact the authorities.”
Judith never spoke about any danger to her, the sister said.
“She has been abroad before but this is the first time this has happened,” Agnes D’Souza said.
“She said she was safe. We had long conversations,” said the victim’s father.
Judith was seized by unknown gunmen late on Thursday. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The incident happened as the Indian embassy issued a security alert last month for Indians staying in and travelling to Afghanistan.
The government, sources said, was in touch with her family and the Indian mission in Kabul. Surveillance teams and Special Forces were trying to locate the woman whose mobile phone was switched on for some time after the abduction.
Indian assets and its people have often come under attack in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, where New Delhi is leading the rebuilding effort.
Abduction a month after the advisory
Last month, the Embassy of India had issued a security alert to all Indian citizens residing in Afghanistan. It had also warned Indians travelling to Afghanistan warning that a persistent volatile situation exists in the country. All Indians residing in Afghanistan and Indian travellers to Afghanistan are advised that the security situation in Afghanistan remains highly volatile.
"Terrorist attacks have taken place in many parts of the country against a variety of targets including foreigners and are expected to continue. There is also the risk of kidnapping and hostage taking throughout the Afghanistan," the advisory further read.
(With inputs from IANS)
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