ON THE HOUR: Nidhan Singh Sachdeva -a devout Sehajdhari Sikh, who went all the way from Delhi to Gurdwara Thala Sahib in Afghanistan to do Kar Sewa -community service and was abducted a few weeks ago, allegedly by the Taliban, has returned to safety and has paid obeisance at the Gurdwara soon after his release. 

“IWAS BEATEN BY MY CAPTORS AND I AM GOING FOR A medical examination,” said Nidhan Singh in a Facebook video post in the Dari -Farsi language. He further says, “I am thankful to the Governor, the commander and the security forces.”

Radio Azadi of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty group, has reported that the district governor of Samakani -Abdul Rahman Zamati has told them that “unidentified individuals left Nadam Singh in the district today morning.” The governor also added that “he is in good health.”

Significantly, India had through its diplomatic channels taken up the abduction of Nidhan Singh with the Afghan government.

Nidan Singh, an Afghan Sikh who was abducted last month has in eastern Afghanistan has been rescued by the Afghan security forces.

I have seen his video statement in Dari stating he was tortured by his captors. He is now taken to a doctor for physical examination. pic.twitter.com/9HPgv5sk6z

— TheAfghanDutchSikh (@TheDutchSikh1) July 18, 2020

Afghan Sikh documentary maker based in England Pritpal Singh confirmed through a tweet that, Nidan Singh paid obeisance at historic Thala Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Paktia Province, Afghanistan soon after his release from a month-long kidnapping.

Video of Nidan Singh Sachdeva, prior to his abduction from a Gurdwara in Afghanistan.

According to his family, he was abducted by ‘armed men’ from the gurdwara on the night of 17th June 2020 and since then they are unaware of his whereabouts. https://t.co/HY0CekNxmQ

— TheAfghanDutchSikh (@TheDutchSikh1) July 15, 2020

WSN sources among the Sikhs in Afghanistan say, “we are pleased to note that India has played a diplomatic role in highlighting the case of Nidhan Singh and we are happy that he is back to safety amongst his people and family.”

“We also look forward with hope that India will issue visas and facilitate the travel of those beleaguered Sikhs who desire to go to India without delay as they are still facing threats to their lives, said a family member of the 25 Sikhs killed four months ago.”