Security arrangements reviewed for Indians in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI - The government has asked Indians living in Afghanistan to take adequate precautions about their security and warned there was a possibility of diplomats being abducted by the Taliban, highly placed sources indicated Friday.

There are intelligence reports that diplomats could be soft targets. After National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon’s visit to Kabul last week to assess security arrangements, we are examining all options and working out a better security regimen, said a senior official, who could not be identified.

Menon visited Afghanistan last week to assess security arrangements and enquire about the security measures in place for over 4,000 Indians working in the country on various projects.

We might revamp security measures in our consulates, said the official.

Currently, there are over 160 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel providing security to the Indian embassy in Kabul and the four consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif.

The Afghanistan government has also been in constant touch with Indian authorities to bolster security arrangements.

Six Indians, including two army officers, were among 16 killed as Taliban suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks on two Kabul hotels in February.

The suicide squad struck mainly at the Park Residence hotel rented out by the Indian embassy for its staffers and those linked to Indias developmental work in Afghanistan.

A car bomb levelled the Arya Guesthouse used mainly by Indian doctors.