Afghan nationals gather outside US embassy in Delhi, seek assistance from govt

Afghanistan plunged into turmoil after the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul over the weekend, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.

Afghan nationals on Thursday gathered outside the embassy of the United States in Delhi as the situation continued to evolve in the neighbouring South Asian country after the Taliban takeover. They requested the Indian government to extend help to their family members stranded in Afghanistan. "My family back home is scared after the Taliban take over. We request support from India and the US. We don't have any jobs here and are facing financial troubles," news agency ANI quoted an Afghan national as saying.

A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty salon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul. (AFP)

Afghanistan plunged into turmoil after the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul over the weekend, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country. The issue created massive turmoil in the country as mass exodus was triggered by people fearing the return of the brutal regime of the Taliban which had ended in 2001 with the US' entry.

With most of the troops already withdrawn, the various foreign governments including India's are carrying out evacuation operations.

On Tuesday, India withdrew its ambassador and diplomatic staff from Kabul. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting during which he directed officials to ensure all Indian nationals are evacuated safely from war-torn Afghanistan.

Almost 200 people including India’s ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon have been brought back to the country so far.

Meanwhile, the head of the UN food agency in Afghanistan on Wednesday said that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding with 14 million people facing severe hunger following the Taliban takeover of the country.