India condemns terror attack at its embassy in Kabul
7 Jul 2008, 1553 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): India has strongly condemned the terrorist attack at the Indian Embassy in Kabul today and stated that the "cowardly" act, would not deter it from fulfilling its commitments to the Government and people of Afghanistan.

41 persons were killed and more than 141 people were injured, including civilians and security forces, in the blast which took place in the morning rush hour.

Among the dead, four were identified as Indians, which included Brigadier R. Mehta and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer (Counsellor-Political) V. Venkat Rao.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here today, "We are in touch with the Ambassador who is supervising arrangements for medical assistance."

"The Government of India strongly condemns this cowardly terrorist attack on its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan," said Sarna.

He further added, "Such acts of terror will not deter us from fulfilling our commitments to the Government and people of Afghanistan."

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was called here by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the situation in Kabul.

According to sources, Mukherjee deliberated with Defence Minister A. K. Antony and senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry about the situation.

A suicide bomber had rammed a car full of explosives into the gates of the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital.

About 3,000 Indians are working on various reconstruction and developmental projects in Afghanistan and they have often been subjected to attacks by the terrorist group, Taliban. (ANI)