Afghanistan: Suicide attack kills two Indian security personnel

Two Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel were killed on Thursday and six others critically injured when a suspected Taliban militant blew himself up in the south-western province of Afghanistan, sending shockwaves among Indians employed there.

The suicide attack targeted a convoy of Border Roads Organisation, which is constructing the Zaranj-Delaram road in Afghanistan. Hours after the attack, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said in a statement said that a team will visit Afghanistan immediately to review the security arrangements and identify additional measures.

The MEA added that India will work with the Afghan government, to strengthen security at project sites and other locations, where Indian nationals were working for the reconstruction of war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Approximately 300 ITBP personnel are deployed in Afghanistan. "We understand that at least two of our security personnel have been killed and some others have been injured. A number of Afghan security personnel have also been killed," the statement said.

India's Ambassador to Afghanistan Rakesh Sood is making efforts to airlift the injured to a place where they can be provided better medical treatment.

Strongly condemning the act of terrorism, India said it was aimed against its aid and humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan. New Delhi reiterated its determination to continue to work for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the well-being of Afghan people.

"We are contacting the families of the deceased and wounded. Compensation and insurance for the victims will be disbursed immediately," the statement said.

According to official sources, one of the deceased had been identified as Inspector Manoj Kumar. The condition of five of the injured was reportedly critical.

Contacts have been established with the Afghan Defence Ministry, which has assured that the deceased and the injured will be airlifted to Kabul on Friday and later to India.

Sources said that an improvised explosive device, planted in a motor cycle, was detonated when the last convoy of BRO was returning from work. The ITBP and Afghan police personnel rushed to the spot when a suicide bomber blew himself up.

The sources added that 11 Afghan policemen, also on guard duty, were killed. "The government of India deeply regrets the loss of life and offers its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased," the MEA statement said.