UP man recalls tense moments before evacuation from Kabul airport
What's the story
Returning from Afghanistan, a man from the Bansdih area in Ballia thanked the Centre for his safe return and said the memories of Kabul still haunt him.
Rajesh Pandey, a resident of Chitrauli locality of Janpur Mudiyari Gram Panchayat of Bansdih Kotwali area of the district, returned to India from Afghanistan on August 23 but still has fear writ large on his face.
Situation
Felt like I won't be able to return home: Pandey
Talking to reporters, Pandey said he had given up hope of returning home alive after seeing the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
"Many times it felt like I would not be able to return home. I am with my family today due to the efforts of the government," said Pandey, who had gone to Kabul on February 22 earlier in the year.
Atmosphere
The whole atmosphere in Afghanistan was scary: Pandey
Pandey had gone to Kabul to work in a factory located eight kilometers from the Kabul airport.
"After the capture of Afghanistan by the Taliban, there was a state of anarchy. It took 10 hours to cover a distance of eight kilometers to reach the airport," he said, adding that the whole atmosphere was scary with bombings and firing taking place all around them.
Quote
Around 150 Indians were abducted by the Taliban: Pandey
"On August 21, the group of Indians that I was traveling with were only a hundred meters away from the airport when the Taliban abducted around 150 of them to a secluded place," he said. "Sitting in one place, everyone's passports were checked," he said.
Release
We were released after about five hours: Pandey
"At that time, it seemed that I would not be able to return home alive. It was about five hours later that all of us were released at the Kabul airport and we heaved a sigh of relief," Pandey said.
"It is due to the grace of God and the efforts of the government that I have reached the country safely," he added.