Indian mission in Afghanistan on 'maximum alert' after terror threat

The Indian Mission in Afghanistan is on “maximum alert” after intelligence agencies received specific information that the Taliban and Pakistan-based terror groups were planning to carry out simultaneous attacks, including car bomb explosions followed by Mumbai-style attacks, on Indian assets.

The Indian government has also asked its Afghan counterpart to deploy more forces at the Indian Mission and other assets to provide adequate security for Indians.

Security agencies have cautioned diplomats and other members of the Indian Mission and consulates to either hold their travel plans for now or travel only if necessary. Advisories was also issued to Indians involved in carrying out of developmental work in Afghanistan.

Senior members of the government said that the embassy in Kabul, consulates in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat were amongst the prime targets for terrorists but they could also attack softer targets like Indians who are involved in development and reconstruction projects.

According to the intelligence inputs received, the Haqqani faction of the Taliban and terrorist groups based in Pakistan, Laskhar-e-Tayeba, were the groups planning to target Indian interests in Afghanistan. Government sources said the specific intelligence input was received last week which had been sent across the security agencies in Afghanistan.

Security agencies have asked Indians in Afghanistan to be on alert and to exercise caution, restrict their movements to the minimum and maintain secrecy about their movements because it was possible that they could be attacked or abducted by terrorists.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a paramilitary force which guards the embassy and consulates, has been asked to maintain extra vigil and frequent checks to avoid any attack. More than 200 ITBP personnel are involved in protecting Indian assets.

Attacks on the Indian Mission in 2008 and 2009 by the Taliban left 77 killed, which included a military attaché and a high-ranking diplomat. There have been four attacks on Indians assets and people since 2008.

On February 26 this year, Indian developmental workers, who were in staying in two hotels in Kabul, were also attacked. Four people were killed in the attack, which is said to be similar to the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai.