KATHMANDU, AUGUST 17

Many Nepalis that had been stranded in Afghanistan after the takeover of the country by Taliban forces have been rescued and are returning home.

On Tuesday morning, as many as 118 Nepalis arrived in the capital from the conflict zone in a chartered aircraft that landed in Tribhuvan International Airport. They arrived via Kuwait.

Most of the returnees were rescued by the US troops along with their citizens, and are among those who were employed by US organisations.

Earlier Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had issued an assurance that the government would coordinate with concerned authorities to make arrangements to bring the citizens back home as many countries started airlifting their citizens following the recent developments in Afghanistan.

Similarly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has added an online registration form for Nepalis in Afghanistan in a bid to collect relevant data so as to ensure their timely, swift and effective rescue.

With the withdrawal of the United States Armed forces from Afghanistan after 20 years, the Taliban forces have swiftly taken over the major cities including the 'capture' of Kabul, the capital city, on Sunday.

Following the takeover of Kabul, Afghani President Ashraf Ghani fled the country the same day, leaving the capital at mercy of the Taliban.

With the Taliban in control of the country, thousands of Afghans had flooded the Kabul airport to flee the country.

Meanwhile, the US and the United Kingdom have sent their armed forces to the country to secure the safe departure of their citizens and diplomats while other European countries scramble to get their citizens out.

However, some countries including Russia and Turkey have continued their embassy operation for the time being.