India reviews security arrangements at missions in Afghanistan

Following a string of bloody assaults by terror groups, India recently carried out a thorough review of security prepardness at all its missions in Afghanistan.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said inspection teams headed by senior security experts visited the missions to take stock of the security measures. He said the government kept reviewing and upgrading security arrangements at these diplomatic missions.

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"A thorough review of security measures regarding our missions and posts in Afghanistan was undertaken earlier this year through the visits to the Embassy and Consulates General by security and inspection teams headed by senior officers from the headquarters," he said.

Heavily-armed terrorists, including suicide bombers, had attacked the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad city on March 2, killing nine persons, including an Afghan security personnel. It was the fourth attack on the Consulate since 2007.

On January 3, terrorists had carried out an attack on the Indian mission in Mazar-e-Sharif which lasted over 25 hours. All the attackers who attempted to storm the building were killed by the Afghan forces.

The Minister said government remained vigilant to ensure safety and security of Indian diplomats and staff in its missions and posts abroad.

To a separate question, he said a total of 1,575 Indians are lodged in jails in Saudi Arabia. "They are convicted of crimes committed by them in violation of laws and regulation of Saudi Arabia."

Replying to a question on whether Indian firms operating in Nepal were attacked by protesters, Singh said sites and offices of foreign investors were reportedly targeted by miscreants.

He said government of India has taken all necessary measures to safeguard India's economic interests in Nepal.