NEW DELHI: A 40 year old Indian woman named Judith D'Souza, working with the Aga Khan Foundation, an international NGO, has been kidnapped in Kabul. The incident took place late on 9th June, near the Qala-e-Fatullah area of the city. The Indian Embassy in the region is in touch with senior Afghan officials and the victim's family, trying to bring her back as soon as possible.
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to the abducted woman's family, also responding to a tweet from her brother. She said the government is "doing everything to rescue her." While no group has claimed responsibility of the abduction, investigators believe she is being held by one of the many crime cartels who earn millions of dollars in ransom from kidnapping foreign nationals, intelligence and police sources. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Manpreet Vohra met with top security officials and has launched a massive effort to seek out Judith. Two men have been detained for questioning.
The incident came just after the Embassy of India in Kabul issued a security alert to the Indian citizens in Afghanistan. Their statement read, "All Indians residing in Afghanistan and Indian travellers to Afghanistan are advised that the security situation in Afghanistan remains highly volatile. Terrorist attacks have taken place in many parts of the country against a variety of targets including foreigners and are expected to continue. There is also the risk of kidnapping and hostage taking throughout the Afghanistan."
Judith worked all across the world, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, and Nepal. She worked on child rights, climate change, and other social issues, before she became a gender specialist. He also held positions in the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Auroville Water Harvest, Muskaan, and Gram Vikas. She is the author of several papers on water conservation and women's empowerment.
