The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan urges Karzai to protect Indians

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Sunday, Feb 28, 2010
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Manmohan urges Karzai to protect Indians

Special Correspondent

Kabul blasts targeted foreigners, particularly Indians

— Photo: V. Sudershan

Tribute to bravehearts: President Pratibha Patil visits the Air Force Station at Palam in New Delhi on Saturday to pay homage to the Indians killed in the Kabul blast on Friday. The bodies were earlier brought by a special Air Force plane.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed “outrage” over the killing of at least six Indians in the bomb blasts in Kabul aimed at two guest houses favoured by foreigners.

In a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Dr. Singh appreciated the timely medical assistance given to the injured and requested him to ensure full protection for Indians working there on humanitarian projects. Mr. Karzai had called up Dr. Singh to express his condolences on the death of Indian nationals in the attacks.

Government sources familiar with the incident said the violence was targeted at “foreigners in general and Indians in particular” at the guest house they were known to frequent.

They also drew attention to the “clear-cut” responsibility taken by the Taliban in which the attack achieved two objectives — it killed foreigners; the Taliban was able to strike at the heart of Kabul.

The sources said it was unfortunate that the car bomb that exploded near a place frequented by Indians was more potent, whereas the two suicide bombers at another location did not claim as many lives of foreigners. An Italian and a French person were among those killed in the attack at the second guest house.

Solidarity with Indians

Afghanistan’s top leadership has expressed complete solidarity with the Indians, with Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul calling up his Indian counterpart, S.M. Krishna, a few hours after the blast. Mr. Rassoul assured Mr. Krishna that Kabul would ensure increased security measures and hoped that India would continue to support Afghanistan despite this setback.

Although preliminary assessments do not point to Indians being especially chosen for the attack, the sources pointed out that the Indian embassy in Kabul had been targeted twice. The first attempt in 2008 claimed the worst-ever casualties since 2001 in Kabul. On the second occasion, 17 lives were lost.

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