Afghan foreign minister speaks to Krishna after blast

NEW DELHI/KABUL - In the wake of the terror attack in Kabul that killed 17 people, including nine Indians, Afghanistan Friday told India it would take more security measures for the safety of Indian nationals while New Delhi assured that it would carry on its reconstruction activities in the terror-ravaged country.

Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul called up his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna Friday and said his country will take more security measures for the safety of Indian nationals in the wake of the terror attack.

Krishna, in turn, assured his Afghan counterpart that the two countries will face our common enemy together and New Delhi will carry on its reconstruction activities in that country.

At least 17 people, including nine Indians, were killed when Taliban bombers equipped with suicide vests and automatic rifles attacked a hotel and a guesthouse in central Kabul Friday, Afghan officials said in Kabul.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks.

An external affairs ministry statement in New Delhi said that Rassoul condemned the terrorist attack and said both India and Afghanistan were facing a common enemy.

He hoped that India would continue to support the government of Afghanistan in its efforts.

Krishna told the Afghan minister that India firmly stood by Afghanistan in confronting their common enemy.

Condemning the attack, Krishna deeply condoled the loss of Afghan lives in the attack. He said the Indian government fully supported Afghan efforts and would not be deterred by such attacks.

Around 4,000 Indians are at present staying in Afghanistan, carrying out a wide array of reconstruction activities ranging from building roads, dams and power stations to training Afghan personnel.