Afghan military personal take position at the scene of an attack on the Indian consulate in Herat on May 23 ,2014. PHOTO: AFP
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.
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