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.
Attack on the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Herat province has been widely condemned.
Condemning the attack, President Pranab Mukherjee said such terror attacks will not deter India to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts. He expressed gratitude to the Afghan security forces for quick response to the situation to ensure safety of the staff.
Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari said, such acts of violence will not weaken India's resolve to assist Afghanistan in building a strong, stable and democratic country.
Outgoing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also condemned the attack and said India will continue to support Afghanistan in its brave fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has also condemned terrorist attack on Indian consulate in Herat province of Afghanistan.
Mr. Modi has spoken to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on the phone regarding the attack on Indian consulate in Herat.
In a tweet, Mr Modi said Mr Karzai assured him that he will do everything to protect India's Missions in Afghanistan. Mr Modi said India salutes the efforts of its security personnel and Afghan security forces for their valiant efforts to fight the terrorists.
BJP President Rajnath Singh today condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan and lauded the role of brave ITBP jawans and officers for putting up a brave defence.
He lauded the role of Indian security forces for their brave action.
AIR 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.
The Sri Lankan government has condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat Province in Western Afghanistan.
In a press release issued today, it said the targeting of a diplomatic mission is a matter of serious concern that should draw the attention of the wider international community and underscores Sri Lanka’s consistent call for concerted and decisive action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
