According to Indian officials, unidentified armed men attacked the Indian consulate from a house nearby. Clashes occurred between the attackers, and the Indian and Afghan security personnel.
Presidential spokesperson Aimal Faizi said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack. She further added that the attack will not have a negative impact on the Afghan-India ties but will instead strengthen them.
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Gen Ayub Salangi told Tolo News that no Indian died in the attack. Spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement, "no cause justifies targeting of diplomatic missions. It is a relief that no one from the consulate staff was hurt."
Afghan journalist Mohammad Qazi Zadah, who was at the scene, told The Express Tribune that the assailants entered the nearby house at 3am and started firing. The Indian security men, guarding the consulate, responded to the attack and were later joined by the Afghan forces.
Indian embassy in Kabul and Indian External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin confirmed the attack, adding that all diplomats were safe.
The Indian External Affairs spokesperson tweeted that four attackers had been killed and all the staff of the consulate was safe:
Update! 4 attackers killed. Staff at r Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan safe. Morale high. #India monitoring situation. 1305 IST
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2014
Akbaruddin also tweeted that Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has talked to Indian Ambassador Sinha in Afghanistan to bolster morale of all staff on India's missions working in Afghanistan.
PM designate @narendramodi calls up #India's Amb in #Afghanistan. Bolsters morale. Assures all support to brave staff at Consulate in Herat
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2014
He also tweeted that President Karzai and Modi have spoken about the attack via telephone and the PM-designate has thanked Karzai regarding the efforts made by Afghanistan to thwart the attack:
Prez Karzai of #Afghanistan calls PM designate @narendramodi assures that #Afghanistan will do all to protect #India's Missions there.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2014
PM desig @narendramodi thanks Prez Karzai of #Afghanistan for efforts of Afghan forces in thwarting attack on #India's Consulate in Herat.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2014
PM designate @narendramodi & Prez Karzai of #Afghanistan have a telephone conversation regarding attack on #India's Consulate in Herat.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2014
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Siddique Siddiqi confirmed that the attack has ended. He said that at least four Afghan National Security Forces personnel were wounded in the attack.
Police in Herat told the media the attackers failed to enter the Indian consulate. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack till filing of this report.
COMMENTS (51)
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@miran gud people r now getting mature
@Deam: Already forgotten what you have commented? Try reading them again.
It seems that @Patriotic Pakistani has touched a raw nerve of the Indians :D
We Pashtoon people blame 100% these foreigners like Indians and Western countries for all the problems in Afghanistan against us. They support anti-Pashtoon factions and engage in massacre of Pashtoons, then they cry when Pashtoons fight back.
India, this is Afghan Pashtoon hospitality, don't feel at home in a place which you are not welcomed. Get out from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This action will have a reaction.
Afghanistan is a soveriegn nation and you Pakistani's have no right over our soveriegnty.
If you had the courage you would send in your soldiers not terrorist proxies to kill innocent people when we were at our weakest and after we protected you from the Soviets.
God will deal with Pakistan for what its done to its Muslim nieghbor.
Afghans make the best nieghbors and we thought you were brothers. Now we know you are not capable of peaceful coexitence.
Leave us alone and don't even mention our nation with your lying blood stained mouths.
@B:
Lol @ childish/loose, which i disagree... your assumption and your answer... It is unimaginable that you people could assume such extremely -ve things... "dirty bomb" from where did you bring this... A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
Its the mandatory diplomatic civil govt statement. There have been, in the past few years, systematic attacks on Indian institutions in Afghanistan and as well on Indian individuals, such as doctors.
Some (not all) were believed to be orchestrated by Pak agencies via Afghan and Pak based groups, ranging from Haqqanis to even LeT. These conclusions stem from evidences gathered in intelligence reports and analysis by US, Afghan, Indian and some Pakistani analysts on militancy movements and security state actions. Hope its not the case here with this terrorist attack here...otherwise it'd be the same old belligerence and undermining...
@deam so a indian can't be a Muslim? For a record we have more Muslims in our country than you, you know? & second largest Muslim population in the world who rejected TNT and are proud indian Muslims. Don't just disappear our 176,190,000 brethren, get your head out of the sand.
@waseem sarwar which is the country that has openly disliked and condemned our friendship and presence in Afghanistan? Last time when attacks happened which country diplomat did the Afghan govt blame was video recording the corridor where later attack took place?
@pakistani unpublished? When you have no proof what will you publicise in media or international community. Learn from mumbai all proofs where in media and available to international world. Why dint you take such a step to expose? Because facts are different from fiction.
@Patriotic Pakistani: Please do not cover ure military's cowardly acts by saying India is behind baloch unrest. If you don't treat ure own citizen with respect and ur army is involved in killing Baloch's what do you accept from them. Pakistani's are pathological liars. Please see the problem only then can u rectify it. If you do not see the problem and address it, you end up killing ure civilians and your dear army puts the blame on India. Pak army is the most dishonorable Army. what kind of army lies about involvement in war and disowns the dead soldiers and after few years the whole country shamelessly debate on debacle. India was or is never interested in pakistan or its internal matters but you Pakistanis are obsessed with india as you do not have any work and hence cannot make any progress. From last 60 years u were feed with poison against india and lies. Please check your history books for every incident and war with india and then Google the same on wiki and your eyes will open. It is in pakistan's interest to see the real issue and think about development rather than destruction of neighbor who has never started a war but responded to it when imposed.
@Deam: Are you saying that Pakistan will give away a 'dirty bomb' to terrorists. Have you used this on the people that has killed 40,000+ Pakistanis? Childish/loose talk.
Another indian drama logo like Mumbai attacks
Those who plan to enter a building do not attack from nearby buildings. I guess the intent was to target people inside the consulate from a distance.
How frustrated people you are 'Indians'. Shame on your dream to rule in Afghanistan. No way not at all. You will not be able to fulfill your dream that is for sure.
@Patriotic Pakistani: India getting a dose of its own medicine in Afghanistan from Pakistan would mean Pakistan spending $2 billion on Afghanistan. Thats obviously not going to happen. Just remember that Maunmohan Singh is out and Modi is in. The rules have changed.
@Waseem Sarwar: You are right brother but every one does not think in this way.
@Indian Muslim: They are already teaching lesson . I think now Pak did PhD and we lost 70 thousand people by your lessons. U people are working very hard.
@John B:
Pakistanis were expecting similar with similar angle...
@Indian Muslim:
Looks like an Indian Hindu is trying to represent the Indian Muslims... Job well done...
but failed...
Some of the prior attacks on Indian consulates have been tied directly to ISI (phone intercepts) - so this maybe someones way of trying to get Modi to withdraw his offer to Sharif to attend his swearing in ceremony. Nice that Pakistan had quick condemnation of this attack.
@Rudra: How many are playing in your play ground, do you know?
This statement by the Pakistan Foreign office should be welcomed. Now time to find out who masterminded the attack and the motive behind it.
Afghan's and Indian's should join hands and teach Pakistani Army /ISI lesson like 1971,
@Adds:
Don't act like a coward...
Another false flag... Either you people are Dumb or Dirty...
If india (with this military and economy size) is being bashed by Pakistan then surely you guys are a pile of dumb... else you know the "dirty dumb"...
Now find some excuses.... and come back...
@A J Khan:
Yeah! And Taliban is a CIA/RAW/Mossad conspiracy. Right?
Wise sage Chinese sage Confusion says - "Every action in Afghanistan has an opposite and greater reaction in Balochistan."
@Mega: and what exact proof anyone here has that anyone from Pakistani government/Armed forces was involved in this cowardly attack? I think Pakistan is learning their lesson that if a portion of Afghans favor Pakistan, rest of them hate us and same is matter with India. Trolling is a fun i guess. :)
We Indians believe you!
@Pakistani Haha we are hypocrites of the highest order in which way kindly point out . Truth always hurts , isn't it ? You people have no job in the world other than pointing fingers at India .
@Pakistani: correct, they made a special phone call to inform you lol. Conspiracy theories and delusion is your national staple food.
@Adds: You are nothing but hypocrites of the highest order. Put your money where your mouth is and til then go and fly a kite.
@Mega: Our government has already shared unpublicised proof with the Indian government.
This attack is an act of cowardice. Because cowards attack unarmed individuals. More consulates needed in Afghanistan now. Whoever is behind this is dreaming an impossible dream. I've worked for the Saudi ministry in Saudi Arabia for 10 years. I know the ground reality. Although I come from a congressi family, these people should remember one thing. If after Indira Gandhi there was a tough individual it's Modi. He knows how to deal with this.
And this is how they respond to peace deals. Mumbai,beheading soldier,parliament,hijack plane,counsel attack. Bravo need to change the definition of peace now.
@uilla that is why you found Raymond Davis and FBI agent in your playground? Wake up and smell the coffee who's and what's happening in your backyard with your eyes open not prejudice.
Now one thing is sure . India will interfere in Balocchistan for sure .
These brave Afghan soldiers trained by Indian Army will manage everything.
@pakistani give proofs not theories.
@Pakistani Till now Pakistan couldn't produce any evidence of Indian involvement in Afghanistan . You'll are born liars .India has always been soft on you guys , thats the blunder we have done . Don't worry good times are coming soon .
@Patriotic Pakistani: @JQ: @PeaceMonger: @Gurion: @Miran: @K: All of you are rumor mongers & taking out your frustrations at something beyond your knowledge & wisdom. Take care & start jogging in morning. That will do a lot good to over come your failures.
India getting a taste of its own medicine.
Keeping in view India's involvement in Balochistan, I guess India got a dose of its own medicine.
Condemning or taking the responsibility .............................
India's presence in Afghanistan cannot be undone and will only deepen in the future. The forces that spend sleepless nights over it had better take a deep breath and accept it. There is no way to turn the clock back on Afghanistan.
Good to know that the thought of Modi scares the deep state cowards into panicking.
Army's answer to Sharif: don't go to Modi's swearing in ceremony.
Was expecting similar news but did not anticipate the consulate angle. Afghanistan is a testing ground to assess the will of Modi in coming years.
Welcome gift to Modi by Pakistan?