India strongly condemned Friday’s terrorist attacks in Kabul that killed six Indians and 11 others.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Indians were on a mission of goodwill and friendship to construct a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan. While conveying his condolences to the families of the deceased, he assured the families that the Government of India stood with them in their hour of grief and would render all possible support to them.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna noted that this was the third attack on Indian officials and interests in Afghanistan in the past 20 months. The masterminds were those who wanted to undermine India-Afghanistan friendship and did not wish to see a strong, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan, he said.
Making a suo motu statement in Parliament, Mr. Krishna extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and promised that all necessary steps would be taken for the welfare of the dependants of the deceased officials. Arrangements were being made for the expeditious treatment of the injured and, if necessary, by evacuating them to India.
The attacks on the Embassy of India in Kabul in July 2008 and October 2009 claimed the lives of Indian diplomats and officials and several Afghan nationals, which were “a matter of deep concern and are clearly aimed against the people of India and Afghanistan. The international community and the Afghan people 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.”
Vice President Hamid Ansari also strongly condemned the terrorist attack. He said the entire nation mourned their death and valued their services and contribution to the nation.
