Two Terrorists killed: Taliban behind attack

KABUL (TIP): The Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat has been attacked, and the area is surrounded by security forces. Police initially said three gunmen opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades but one of them was killed. The other two fled into a nearby building. However, the latest report says two terrorists were killed. Afghan government sources said Taliban was behind the attack.

The Indian foreign ministry said all of its personnel were safe.Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for the Indian government, confirmed the incident and praised “brave” consulate staff and Afghan security forces for repelling the attack. “All safe. Operation underway,” he tweeted. Herat lies near Afghanistan‘s border with Iran and is considered one of the safer cities in the country.

In September 2013, the Taliban launched a similar assault on the US consulate in the city, killing at least four Afghans but failing to enter the compound or hurt any Americans. Friday’s incident comes on the eve of the inauguration of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks in recent weeks as foreign troops begin to withdraw from the country.

Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the first round of elections in April to replace outgoing President Karzai. The second round, due in mid-June, pits front-runner Abdullah Abdullah against Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist.