India “strongly condemned” the terrorist attack on Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel attack in which dozens were killed, saying it highlighted once again the need to target sanctuaries of internationally proscribed terror groups like the Pakistan based “Haqqani network” affiliated to the Taliban.
“The reports about the attack…bring to fore once again the need to effectively deal with safe havens and sanctuaries that these terrorists find in our shared neighbourhood,” the MEA spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday night, even as Afghan Security forces ended a 12-hour gunbattle with terrorists who stormed the luxury hotel and laid a siege on hundreds including foreigners staying at the hotel, an attack that bore close resemblance to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008.
The Taliban issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack on the hotel, and the Afghan Interior Ministry said it believed it was the Haqqani network that was responsible.
Commending the Afghan security forces for their “professionalism and bravery”, the MEA said India stands in solidarity with Afghanistan.
