External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter on Saturday to confirm that Judith D’Souza, who was working with the Aga Khan Foundation, and was kidnapped in Kabul, Afghanistan, has been rescued. She will return to her home town in Kolkata, West Bengal, this week.
I am happy to inform you that Judith D’souza has been rescued. @jeromedsouza
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 23, 2016
Judith D’Souza is with us – safe and in good spirits. She will reach her Motherland at the earliest. Vande Mataram. https://t.co/VAfBWpBAeN
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 23, 2016
Judith is currently residing in the Indian embassy. She will return to New Delhi today.
I have spoken to Judith. She is reaching Delhi this evening. Ambassador @VohraManpreet is accompanying her.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 23, 2016
Judith was abducted by gunmen on June 9. They demanded a ransom for her release. It was first believed that the Afghan Taliban were behind the attack, but later this theory was rejected. Judith was in her car, travelling to a friend’s house, with her driver and bodyguard. Their car was overtaken by the gunmen, who shoved them into another at gunpoint. As the other two were from Afghan, they were let off.
In an interview to The Hindu this week, Afghanistan ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali had expressed his optimism of Judith’s return. He said her captors seemed to be “gangsters, not terrorists”. He added, “It is not just the government, it is the people of Afghanistan who will protect India at any cost, be it their lives, if that may be required for the Indians to be safe and secure in Afghanistan.”
It is reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally requested Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, on the sidelines of the SCO summit on June 23-24th, to secure her release.
Swaraj thanked both Afghanistan authorities and Manpreet Vohra, Indian ambassador, for helping rescue Judith.
Thank you Afghanistan – for all your help and support in rescuing #Judith.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 23, 2016
Ambassador @VohraManpreet – you have done an outstanding job.#Judith
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 23, 2016
