UN condemns attack on Indian consulate in Afghanistan

The United Nations on Friday condemned the attack on the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat in which four heavily-armed gunmen launched an assault on the complex and were subsequently killed in an encounter.

"We obviously condemn these attacks whether on civilians or on diplomatic representations," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the United Nations.

The Indian consulate in Herat was attacked on Friday by four heavily-armed gunmen, who were subsequently killed in an encounter as India attributed the pre-dawn strike to terror elements "beyond the borders" of the war-torn country.

All Indian diplomatic staff and local personnel inside the two-building complex were unharmed in the attack that was repulsed by India's ITBP and Afghan security forces.

The gunmen, carrying rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, opened fire on the consulate. One attacker was killed while climbing the wall to enter the premises of the Consulate which also houses the residence of the Consul General, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha said.

The assault on the Indian Consulate comes just days ahead of the May 26 swearing-in of India's Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, an event which Afghan President Hamid Karzai is scheduled to attend.

India has invested more than $2 billion in Afghan projects, including those of roads and power.

Karzai and Modi today spoke about the attack and the Afghan President assured him that "he will do everything to protect India's Missions in Afghanistan." Modi also spoke with the Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan and assured support for the staff at the consulate.