Indian condemns Kabul blast that killed nine Indians

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) India Friday condemned the
"heinous" terrorist strike in Kabul which left at least nine
Indians, including government officials, dead and said this
was clearly aimed against the people of India and Afghanistan.
"As per the preliminary information provided by Afghan
Government officials, up to nine Indians, besides a few others
from Afghanistan and third countries, have lost their lives,"
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in a statement
in the national capital.
"The deceased Indians include Government officials. A
few Indians have been injured, most of whom are reported to be
out of danger," he said.
Noting that the target of the attack was "few
residential facilities used, among others, by Indian
nationals", the minister said "India strongly condemns the
attack.
This is the third attack on Indian officials and
interests in Afghanistan in the past 20 months.
"These barbaric attacks are a matter of deep concern
and are clearly aimed against the people of India and the
people of Afghanistan."
He said arrangements were also being made for adequate
and expeditious treatment for those injured, and if necessary,
by evacuating them to India.
"(Indian) Government is in close touch with the
Government of Afghanistan on all aspects concerning the
safety, security and welfare of Indians in that country,"
Krishna said.
Krishna said "these (attacks) are the handiwork of
those who are desperate to undermine the friendship between
India and Afghanistan, and do not wish to see a strong,
democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan.
"The international community and the people of
Afghanistan face a clear danger from the perpetrators of such
acts of terrorism and their patrons. The scourge of terrorism
must be resolutely opposed, resisted and overcome through
undiluted commitment and effort by the international
community," the Minister said in the statement.
The attacks on the Indian Embassy in Kabul in July
2008 and October 2009 had claimed the lives of Indian
diplomats and officials and several Afghan nationals.
Government also extended its sincere condolences to
the families of all those who have lost their lives in the
dastardly attack, including the families of the Indian
officials who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
"Though the irreplaceable loss of these families can
never be recompensed, all necessary steps will be taken for
the welfare of the dependants of the deceased officials," the
statement said. PTI PYK
KAB