UN condemns attack on Indian consulate in Afghanistan

The UN Security Council has condemned an attack by gunmen on an Indian consulate in Afghanistan, stressing that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable", media reported Saturday.

"The members of the Security Council condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular representatives, which endanger or take innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work of such representatives and officials," Xinhua quoted the 15-nation UN body's statement.

The Security Council reiterated its serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other terrorist and extremist groups to the local population, national security forces, and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan, the statement said Friday.

Four terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns attacked the Indian consulate in Herat in western Afghanistan in the early hours of Friday.

The audacious attack came ahead of the May 26 swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as India's next prime minister. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is to attend the oath-taking ceremony in New Delhi.

One of the attackers was killed at the entry point only, while three others managed to flee and enter the adjoining building.

All the staff of the consulate were reported safe.

Indian missions have come under attack in Afghanistan several times. Two attacks on the Indian embassy in Kabul in 2008 and 2009 killed 75 people.