New Delhi: India on Friday hinted at the involvement of Pakistan in the terror attack on its consulate in Herat in Afghanistan while stating that the main threat to the war-ravaged country’s peace and stability stems from terrorism beyond its borders.
The attack, repulsed by the ITBP and Afghan security forces, is being seen by India as an attempt to create a “hostage” situation by the attackers allegedly working at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI or its proxies according to Indian security agencies.
The terror attack of Friday, the fifth on an Indian mission in Afghanistan saw four heavily armed men trying to breach the security perimeter of the Indian consulate in Herat, the western Afghanistan. All the four men were killed after a nine-hour gun battle. The consulate staff is said to be safe.
The four gunmen, carrying rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, had opened fire on the consulate in Herat province. One attacker was killed while climbing the wall to enter the premises of the consulate which also houses the residence of the consul-general, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha said in Kabul.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “This attack once again underscores that the main threat to Afghanistan and its peace, stability and security stems from terrorism beyond its borders.”
Pakistan condemned the Herat attack and said it reiterates its “condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
There was also speculation that the attack was a well-timed one meant to scuttle Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s India visit if he decides to come for the swearing-in of the Narendra Modi government on Monday. Asked about the attack’s timing, the spokesperson said the situation is still being assessed.
