Afghanistan: Modi speaks to envoy, condemns attack on Herat Consulate
New Delhi: Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi spoke to Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and condemned the attack on Indian Consulate on Friday. He said, "I condemn the attack on our consulate in Herat, Afghanistan.I am closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan."
Modi also spoke to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and thanked him for his support. Karzai reportedly assured Modi that the all Indian missions in the nation will be protected .
The Indian Consulate in Herat city of Afghanistan was attacked by gunmen at around 3:45 am. The ITBP and Afghan Police were engaged in the gunfight and killed all the four terrorists.
The terrorists were holed up in building 100 to 120 metres away from the consulate and attacked with rocket propellers and grenade. The attack took place just months after a Taliban attack on the US Consulate in the city.
The area has been surrounded by security forces and there has been no casualties. No group has taken responsibility for the attack.
Afghanistan Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad said, "All 4 terrorists have been killed. Fortunately there is no casualty. All in the mission are safe."
Director General of ITBP Subhash Goswami said, "It's a successful operation. The ITBP killed one intruder and Afgan army killed three. Firing is over and we are moving inside. There has been no casualty to Indian side."
He said, "We are happy with the outcome and there have been no losses on our side. We had prior intelligence information about such attacks and we were prepared."
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, "India's Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan attacked. Brave ITBP personnel and Afghan soldiers rebut attackers. All safe. Operation underway."
He added, "India-Afghanistan officials in touch on attack on India's Consulate in Herat. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh monitoring situation. All safe."
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Afghanistan: Modi speaks to envoy, condemns attack on Herat Consulate