LOC00:27
21:27 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (KUNA) -- The Indian consulate in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province came under attack late on Sunday as gunmen attempted to enter the compound, said officials.
Deputy police chief Col. Abdul Razaq Qaderi told media that explosions and gunfire were heard near the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif city of Balkh. First there was an explosion and gunfire could be heard for 10 minutes near the Indian consulate, he added.
The provincial governor's spokesman, Muneer Farhad said that insurgents had attacked the Indian consulate but so far no one had been harmed. He further said that the attackers were firing at the consulate from a nearby building, which had been encircled.
A spokesman for India's ministry of external affairs, Vikas Swarup in a statement confirming the attack said that no Indian casualties had been reported so far.
According to reports, an official, inside the consulate, via telephone had sent a distress call, highlighting "we are being attacked. Fighting is going on." The security forces have cordoned off the area.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which came days after Afghanistan announced four-way talks in Pakistan on January 11 for initiating peace negotiations with Taliban rebels. (end)
sbk.sd