With the Taliban gaining ground in Afghanistan, India issued an 8-point security advisory to its nationals who are staying and working in the war-torn country.

The advisory asks Indians staying, visiting and working in Afghanistan to exercise utmost vigilance at all times and avoid all non-essential travel.

The security situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous in several provinces, the advisory said and warned that terror groups operating there have escalated violent activities including targeting civilians.

Indian nationals are not exceptions and they additionally face a serious threat of kidnapping, it said.

“Targeted attacks include incidents of roadside IED blasts and magnetic IEDs against civilian vehicles, thus due care must be taken during all vehicular movements,” it added.

Here are the key points for Indian nationals visiting/working in Afghanistan:

• All Indian nationals visiting, staying and working in Afghanistan are advised to exercise utmost vigilance and caution with regard to security at the workplace, place of residence and also during movement to their places of work. It is recommended that all types of non-essential movements be avoided. Movements especially during peak commuting hours should also be avoided. While travelling on roads, maintain distance from possible targets like military convoys, vehicles of Govt. Ministries/offices, high-ranking officials, law enforcement agencies, and avoid visiting crowded markets, shopping complexes, mandis, restaurants and other public places. All essential movement may please be kept discrete as possible.
• Travelling outside the main cities should be strictly avoided.
• All Indian nationals arriving in Afghanistan are advised to register with the Embassy/Consulates on the website: https://eoi.gov.in/kabul/ or by email to paw.kabul@mea.gov.in. Those already present in Afghanistan, but have not registered, are requested to do so.
• Indian companies operating in Afghanistan are advised once again to make special security arrangements in respect of their Indian employees deployed at project sites.
• Special attention is drawn to members of the Indian media travelling to Afghanistan to cover events through ground reports. As recent tragic events showed, it is essential that all Indian press persons covering events on the ground establish contact with the Public Affairs  Security Wing of this Embassy for a personalised briefing including specific advice for the locale they are travelling to. This will not only help media persons make a better assessment of the risks involved but also make it easier for the Embassy to render speedy assistance if needed.