New Delhi, October 9
Security at the Indian embassy in Kabul is likely to be further beefed up in the wake of yesterday’s suicide bomb attack outside the mission yesterday. There is also talk among official circles of moves to strengthen the security apparatus at Indian missions in other neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.
However, Afghan officials have hinted at Pakistani links to the attack, saying it was planned and implemented from outside Afghanistan’s borders. Afghan foreign ministry adviser Daoud Muradian was quoted as saying in the media that the attack could be the handiwork of Pakistan’s ISI. He said the latter was using the Taliban as a “hedge” against India to “blackmail” the international community.
Indian officials preferred not to comment on the Afghan official’s statement, saying the jury would be out in a few days.
Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, expressed India’s firm commitment to reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
