ITBP personnel and Afghan soldiers have repulsed an attack on the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan's Herat province. The ITBP DG told a TV channel that all four heavily armed gunmen, who attacked the Herat Consulate early this morning, have been killed. He said, there is no casualty on the Indian side. MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin has said that four attackers have been killed as per the latest update. An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson also said in New Delhi that all Consulate staff are safe. The spokesperson said, Indian and Afghan officials are in touch and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is monitoring the situation.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
India has invested in some major infrastructure projects in Afghanistan like Salma hydroelectric dam in Herat province and the Afghan parliament building in Kabul. India's development assistance programme for Afghanistan currently stands at two billion dollars, making it the leading donor nation among all regional countries.
President Pranab Mukherjee has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian consulate in Herat province of Afghanistan. Mr Mukherjee commended the bravery shown by Indian and Afghan staff of the consulate. The President expressed gratitude to the Afghan security forces for the quick response to the situation to ensure safety of the staff. He said such terror attacks will not deter India to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts.
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has condemned the terrorist attack on Indian consulate in Herat province of Afghanistan. In a tweet, Mr Modi said he is closely monitoring the situation.
Earlier, MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said, Mr Modi spoke to Indian Ambassador in Kabul over the phone and assured all support to the staff at Indian Consulate in Herat. Akbaruddin said Mr Modi boosted morale of the staff. Mr. Modi has also spoken to the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on the phone regarding the attack. MEA spokesman Mr. Akbaruddin said, Mr Modi thanked Mr Karzai for efforts of the Afghan forces in thwarting the attack.
Our correspondent reports that the foiled attack on the Indian Consulate building in Herat this morning, once again proved the capability of Afghan security forces to guard their nation and the national interests. India is helping in the development of Afghanistan and it has taken several initiatives for the benefit of Afghan people. Salma dam is one such development projects which will provide much needed electricity and water to the people of Herat province. Unfortunately some elements, who don't want to see prosperity of Afghans are creating obstacles in India's efforts through terrorist activities. But they should not forget that India will never deviate from its commitment towards the development of Afghanistan.
Pakistan today condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan's Herat province. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in a statement at Islamabad said Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. She added that no cause justified the targeting of diplomatic missions.