Explosions, gunfire near Indian consulate in Afghanistan, 2 attackers killed

Kabul, March 2: Two loud explosions and several shots of gunfire were heard near Indian consulate in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan, on Wednesday, March 2 afternoon.

The fierce gunbattle left two attackers killed and fourteen people injured.

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Manpreet Vohra told a news channel, "All officials in Indian Consulate, Jalalabad are safe. Reinforcements rushed in.'All Indian diplomats and consulate staff were safe, Afghan and Indian officials said. Authorities said the attack, which started around noon, ended a few hours later.

Security forces killed "a team of suicide bombers" who targeted the Indian consulate, Afghanistan's Khaama Press news agency said.

ToloNews quoted hospital sources to say that 14 people had been admitted with injuries. This included an unspecified number of children.

Khaama Press said at least two attackers opened fire after a loud boom was heard.

The security forces retaliated, gunning down the attackers "pretty soon". It added that all Indian diplomats and employees were safe.

The attack caused panic. Civilians fled from the site while security forces engaged the gunmen, police officers said.

Journalists at the site reported explosions and gunfire. Security forces moved in armoured vehicles.

A shopkeeper near the consulate told journalists that he saw several injured people lying on the ground after a massive blast shattered his windows.

The nature of the blast might have been a group attack, Xinhua news agency earlier reported.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack comes ahead of direct peace talks this week between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)