NEW DELHI: Senior sources in the security establishment indicate that they are looking at stepping up security for its missions in Afghanistan in the wake of the precisely targeted attack outside its embassy in which the defence attaché and a diplomat were among the several killed. Security sources also admit that they may have to look at "tougher" decisions such as the closure of at least some of its consulates in Afghanistan, as Taliban resurgence plunges that country into its bloodiest days after the 2001 US invasion.
Sources across security establishment are convinced that suicide bomb attack outside the embassy, the deadliest since 2001 end when Taliban fell, was specifically targeted at Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta, Indian defence attaché in Kabul.
There are diverse opinions within the security establishment if Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), which is desperate to recover their lost "strategic depth", is behind the attack. There is no evidence to point fingers at ISI or Pakistan establishment. But hardliners within the Indian establishment believe that the attack and the ones in the past on Border Roads Organisation workers are all prompted by Pakistani intelligence agency. Pakistan has in the past accused India of using Afghanistan soil, and Indian missions there, for brewing trouble within Pakistan.
However, several other analysts believe that Taliban has its own reasons for targeting Indians and its institutions there. As Taliban resurgence continues Indian establishments and citizens in Afghanistan will face increasing attacks in coming days, security and intelligence sources are worried.
In the light of certain attacks in the coming days, authorities are carrying out an immediate review of the security for Indian missions in Afghanistan. Sources said the first response could be to rush in more ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel to protect the missions. A team led by a senior Indian diplomat is already in Kabul to carry out a review of the security scenario.
