ISI is behind attack on Indian Mission: Kabul tells New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct. 12 (ANI): The Afghan authorities have reportedly told to the Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao during her recent visit to Kabul that Pakistani's covert agency ISI was behind the October 8 attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul, said sources.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao rushed to Kabul this past week after the attack in which over 17 people were killed and 60 left injured. She visited the blast site and also met the Afghan leaders including Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Spanta.

According to sources, Afghan investigators' allegations about ISI's involvement in the attack on the Indian embassy, is based on preliminary examination of material recovered from the blast site.

Earlier, Afghan Ambassador to the United States Said Tayeb Jawad told the PBS news channel in an interview that ISI was behind the attack on Indian mission in Kabul.

This is the second time Indian mission in Afghanistan has been targeted allegedly by the ISI backed mercenaries. Previously, Pakistan's intelligence agency was also blamed for last year July 2008 attack in which over 60 persons including Defense Attaché and IFS officer had been killed.

The latest blast on Oct.8 (2009) was more powerful in intensity than the blast recorded during last year's attack.

Although no Indians has been killed in the attack but New Delhi has taken the incident very seriously. It will raise India's concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistan's soil in general and the recent attack on Indian mission in particular on various international forums.

The latest revelation of ISI involvement in the attack on Indian mission has further dampened the chances of revival of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, which is stalled since 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of last year.

The Mumbai attacks' suspected mastermind Hafeez Saeed's acquittal by the Pakistan High Court has already irked New Delhi. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)