‘Lived through immense fear, depression’: Indian woman stuck in Afghanistan since 2001 returns with daughter

In a story highlighting the struggle of a mother, Indian national Iqra Jamal and her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter finally reached India on Feb 5 after more than three years stuck in Taliban's Afghanistan.

Jamal faced significant difficulties in leaving the country due to the chaotic situation following the Taliban's return to power.

Jamal, who is married to an Afghan national, had traveled to Afghanistan just before the Taliban's return to power in Aug 2021. In the subsequent chaos that ensued, Jamal and her husband failed to board evacuation flights back to India.

In the meantime, Jamal discovered she was pregnant.

Financially struggling and living through turbulent Jamal's daughter was born in Afghanistan after Indian citizens raised money for the delivery following an appeal by activist Rahul Kapoor.

"I have lived through immense fear, depression, and anxiety, especially in the early months of the Taliban's return," said Jamal.