MEA strongly condemns attack on Indian consulate in Heart

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday strongly condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan.

"All of us strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat. This attack once again underscores that the main threat to Afghanistan and its peace, stability and security, stems from terrorism beyond its border," said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

"Our diplomatic premises in Afghanistan have been repeatedly attacked by elements that do not clearly support the Afghan people's effort to rebuild and redevelop their country," he added.

He also asserted that such attacks will not dilute India's commitment to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts.

Afghanistan's Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali had on Friday said that the security operation in Herat following an attack on the Indian consulate has been completed, and confirmed the deaths of all four terrorists.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Abdali said, "I just spoke to the security commandos in Afghanistan and learnt that the operation they started in Herat, against the terrorists, has been completed, and all four terrorists have been killed. The operation was completed by our forces,;, we will see as to who will take the responsibility for this attack."

"We must compliment the forces for their courageous work. The mission and the staff are safe and sound. This attack is an attack on the great relationship between India and Afghanistan and they are trying to tamper that through such attacks," he further told ANI.

"The enemies have tried to do this in the past as well but they must know that they are deadly wrong to expect this relation to be affected through this attack. In fact our relations will grow stronger," he added.

The Indian Consulate in Herat in Afghanistan was attacked this morning.

According to media reports, Afghan police officials had earlier said that three gunmen armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades opened fire on the consulate early this morning from a nearby home. Police killed all the gunmen.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.