Taliban Take Off Sikh Religious Flag From Afghanistan-Based Holy Shrine: Reports

Amid the withdrawal of the US and allied forces from Afghanistan, Taliban* insurgents have been capturing key areas of the country. Major clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban have been making headlines.

Members of the Taliban on Friday removed the "Nishan Sahib", the yellow-coloured religious flag of Sikhs, from the roof of the Gurdwara Thala Sahib, a shrine in the Chamkani district in the Patkia province of Afghanistan, the Hindustan Times reported, citing various reports on the web. 

The mentioned shrine is particularly significant to the Sikh community as it is known to have been visited by the founder of their religion, Guru Nanak Dev, hundreds of years ago. Sputnik cannot independently confirm or verify whether the Nishan Sahib was actually removed from the historical gurdwara.

Images of the empty flag-holder at the Gurdwara have emerged on social media, stirring major uproar. Netizens are calling out the group for attacking non-Muslim minorities in Afghanistan.

Another glorious deed in Taliban bucket - Removing Nishan Sahib from Gurudwara Thala Sahib in Paktia, Afghanistan.

It shows what is going to happen with Hindu-Sikh minorities which are only 700 now. https://t.co/lb6OZ33CWL

— Mark Kinra (@KinraMark) August 6, 2021

Taliban has removed the Sikh religious flag of Nishan Sahib from Gurudwara Thala Sahib, Chamkani, Paktia in Afghanistan. Guru Nanak had visited this shrine and hence this place has immense historical significance. Nidan Singh Sachdeva was kidnapped last year from same Gurudwara. pic.twitter.com/yG21LgRqKi

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 6, 2021

#BREAKING : Pak backed Taliban terrorists removed Nishan Sahib from the roof of Gurdwara Thala Sahib , Chamkani , Paktia , Afghanistan. Historical Gurdwara was visited by Sri Guru Nanak Dev.#TerrorStatePakistan furthering attacks on non muslim minorities beyond borders. pic.twitter.com/kVamKP98sR

— KMS Bedi (@BediKMS) August 6, 2021

🚨 Nishan Sahib from Gurudwara Thala Sahib, Chamkani, Paktia in Afghanistan has been removed by Taliban. This Gurdwara Sahib has Guru Sahib’s Prakash & is maintained by local Sikhs. 13 families remain in the region. Sikh bodies need to work out to get remaining Sikhs out of AF pic.twitter.com/Op24uTrxo0

— Amaan (@amaanbali) August 6, 2021

Recently, several spine-chilling videos of war-torn Afghanistan have emerged on social media, revealing the intensity of the tensions.

Earlier this week, the residence of the country's Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammad was bombed by the Taliban. The politician and his family were not at home at the time and are safe. 

*The Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.