KABUL/NEW DELHI, May 23:
The Indian Consulate in Herat in western Afghanistan was attacked today by four heavily-armed gunmen, who were subsequently killed in an encounter as India attributed the pre-dawn strike to terror elements “beyond the borders” of the war-torn country.
All Indian diplomatic staff and local personnel inside the two-building complex were unharmed in the attack that was repulsed by India’s ITBP and Afghan security forces.
The gunmen, carrying rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, opened fire on the Consulate in the Herat province. One attacker was killed while climbing the wall to enter the premises of the Consulate which also houses the residence of the Consul General, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha said.
Herat is close to Afghan border with Iran but observers in India feel that the attack might have its origin in Pakistan and its timing may be related to the invitation extended to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the swearing-in of Narendra Modi on May 26.
However, in New Delhi, the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry confined himself to only say that India along with Afghan Government was “examining and assessing” various aspects of the attack which includes timing of the attack before the swearing-in and the target as the mission in the Herat was considered to be more secure then other Indian diplomatic missions in Jalalabad and Kandahar.
Observing that the leadership has condemned the incident in strongest possible terms, the spokesperson said, “The attack underscores that the main threat to Afghanistan and to its peace, stability and security stems from terrorism beyond its borders.”
However, he did not elaborate as to which country he was referring to when he said “beyond its (Afghanistan’s) border”.
India is carrying out various development projects in Herat province including construction of Salma hydroelectric and irrigation dam project at the cost about USD 200 million.
The Spokesperson also said “Our diplomatic premises have repeatedly been attacked by elements who clearly do not support Afghan people’s effort to rebuild and redevelop the country…,” and asserted that the attack of this nature will not dilute India’s commitment to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts.
The Spokesperson also noted that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called Modi and assured that Afghanistan will do all to protect India’s missions there.
On his part, Modi thanked Karzai for efforts of Afghan forces in thwarting the attack and said India salutes the efforts of India’s security personnel and Afghan security forces for their valiant efforts to fight terrorists in Herat.
Significantly, Cabinet Secretary and other Secretaries reviewed all inter-agency coordination mechanisms that have been put in place to deal with situations like the one arising out of the attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat.
Following the meeting, appropriate instructions have been issued to all concerned agencies.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Afghanistan has experienced a rise in the Taliban attacks as foreign troops plan to withdraw from the war-torn country by the end of the year.
In August last year, a failed bombing against the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad city near the border with Pakistan killed nine people, including six children. No Indian officials were hurt.
The Indian Embassy in Kabul was attacked twice in 2008 and 2009 that left 75 people dead.
Apart from Salma dam project, India has invested in some major infrastructure projects including the Afghan Parliament building in Kabul.
India’s development assistance programme for Afghanistan currently stands at USD two billion, making it the leading donor nation among all regional countries. (PTI)
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