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When Taliban fighters began to kick on the door of a UN compound in a northern province 250 miles (400km) from the Afghan capital, Kabul, Rajesh* was sure he was going to be killed.
The Taliban had taken management of the world on that day. Rajesh, a UN safety contractor from India, hurried together with his colleagues into an emergency steel-doored room. Earlier than they sealed themselves in, they noticed a gaggle of seven or eight closely armed males.
“They’d assault rifles and what seemed like a suicide vest,” mentioned Rajesh. “We thought we had been going to die.”
Rajesh had been determined to return to India, however the drive to Kabul was harmful. Together with 13 different migrant staff, he has now turn into stranded within the principally deserted compound after lacking the evacuation deadline.
“I simply need to go away Afghanistan as quickly as doable,” he mentioned. “It’s chaos, and the highways are managed by the Taliban. There are such a lot of checkpoints. No one can attain Kabul by the highways; there’s a particular danger for the foreigners.”
These within the UN compound are amongst a whole bunch of Asian migrant staff from international locations such because the Philippines, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka stranded in Afghanistan, in accordance with figures launched by their respective governments. It’s unclear how any of them will be capable of go away.
After the Taliban had been unable to breach the UN compound on their first try, they got here again the following day. A safety officer opened the gate and negotiated with the troopers, who demanded to examine the compound.
“4 Taliban guys bought into the bunker,” mentioned Edward*, a safety contractor from the Philippines. “I used to be terribly scared. I can not clarify how I used to be feeling. It was a trauma.”
The Taliban then stationed troopers on the gates of the compound.
Rajesh mentioned: “As of now, the Taliban have assured us they won’t hurt us. However we can not belief this. We nonetheless have a way of worry. Something can occur to us.
“The state of affairs can flip anytime right here. If there’s a monster at your door, how are you going to stay calm?”
The employees have been in common contact with their embassies, the UN and their employer.
“The UN says there are [evacuation] plans if the state of affairs deteriorates, however they aren’t telling us what they’re,” mentioned Rajesh.
The employees have been calling their fearful households at dwelling day by day and attempting to maintain their composure, however the ambiance has been tense. Some have been overcome with panic, however the group don’t need to antagonise the Taliban guards.
“Some guys are shedding it, as in typically they only lose their mood and begin shouting issues like: ‘what the hell is going on? Why did we come right here?’ However we’re simply attempting to maintain everyone calm,” mentioned Rajesh.
The UN didn’t reply to requests for remark.
* Names have been modified to guard identities
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