Judith D’Souza, the Indian social worker who was abducted in Kabul, has returned to India after she was rescued on Saturday morning, according to reports in ANI. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had informed about her rescue on Saturday. In a tweet, Swaraj had mentioned, “I am happy to inform you that Judith D’souza has been rescued.” Swaraj later tweeted to inform that she had spoken to Judith and she will be reaching Delhi today evening, along with ambassador Manpreet Vohra. D’Souza was abducted on June 9, earlier this year, from Kabul. She was believed to be held by one of the several organised crime cartels who have earned millions of dollars in ransom from kidnapping foreign nationals, intelligence and police sources had told The Indian Express earlier. The incident took place in the vicinity of Qala-e-Fatullah area of the Kabul, where numerous kidnapping incidents have taken place in the past. The Indian Embassy was in touch with the Afghan security services, soon after reports of kidnapping emerged, and a massive effort to seek out Judith. D’Souza, a 40-year-old Kolkata resident, is a gender specialist with the Aga Khan Foundation — part of the Aga Khan Development Network, which has funneled almost $750 million into the war-torn country’s reconstruction. She has 15 years experience working in the social sector. READ: Judith D’souza, Indian kidnapped in Kabul, to reach Delhi today: Sushma Swaraj Indian professionals and aid workers are active in almost all of Afghanistan’s provinces, working on a welter of development projects funded both by their home government and international non-governmental organisations. (with inputs from agencies)
