Repatriation of Indians hit as chaos clouds Kabul airport

India on Monday pledged to stand by its partners in Afghanistan following the country’s takeover by the Taliban even as the repatriation of Indian officials and nationals was paused because of chaos at Kabul airport, where thousands of Afghans rushed in, some so desperate to escape the Taliban that they held onto a military jet as it took off, and plunged to their deaths.

At least seven people were killed around the airport, with the circumstances not being entirely clear — some likely died in a stampede while gunshots too were heard.

All flights at the airport — both military and civilian — were halted until Afghan civilians can be cleared from the runway, a Pentagon official told the Associated Press.