Taliban extorts money from Afghans who work here, say security agencies

WE Indians, indirectly, are funding the Taliban.

The security agencies in the country have sounded an alert against the Afghan nationals who come to India on valid papers in search of livelihood. These agencies have found that the Taliban are extracting a part of their income by virtually holding their families hostage back in Afghanistan. 

Are we funding the Taliban?

According to reports forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by the intelligence and security agencies, more than 100 Afghan nationals have come to India with valid visas and passports this year.

"Afghans have old links with India and have always found working here lucrative. But recently it has come to light that when they go back, they are forced to contribute a part of their savings to Talibani groups," said a senior MHA official.

The intelligence dossier that was prepared sometime back, said, "It is noteworthy here that these Afghan nationals are contributing a part of their income to Talibani groups when they go back to Afghanistan."  

"India has always had excellent relationship with Afghanistan and the trade route between the two countries has always been very active. However, now the Taliban has entered the picture. The terrorist organisation is facilitating the entry of Afghans into India by giving them money for visa and is also ensuring them a safe passage through Pakistan. In return they demand money," he said.

Security agencies also fear that the Taliban is using these Afghans to gather valuable information about India and its current political environment.

"They (Taliban) are interested in everything from the recent serial bomb blasts to the furore in Kashmir over the Amarnath land deal. The Afghans who come here are instructed to get a feel of the events and report," said another officer.

This development can further harm Indo-Afghanistan ties, which have been giving our officials a hard time in the recent days. After the Indian embassy bombing in Kabul, intelligence agencies stumbled upon several startling facts that pointed to the rising anti-India sentiment in the traditionally friendly country.

Recently, several Afghan nationals were caught trying to fly out of India on fake papers and intelligence agencies caught almost 80 Bangladeshi nationals who allegedly were trying to go to Afghanistan in search of jobs.