Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif attacked, two gunmen killed

Explosions and gunfire rang out late on Sunday as militants tried to storm the Indian diplomatic mission in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, officials said.

Representational image

New Delhi: Some unidentified gunmen attacked the Indian consulate in Afghanistan`s northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Sunday night, but two of the attackers were killed, media reports said.

“The gunmen attempted to enter compound after twin explosions and shots were heard,” news agency Reuters quoted Afghan governor's spokesman as saying.

However as per the MEA sources there are no reports of any Indian casualties.

"No reports of any Indian casualties in attack on Indian consulate in Afghan city of Mazar i Sharif," ANI quoted MEA sources as saying.

MEA is in touch with Kabul mission & consulate officials and are monitoring situation closely. 

According to preliminary reports, four armed terrorists tried to barge in Indian consulate in Afghanistan’s Mazhar-e-Sharif. Shortly after the attack, the Afghan forces deployed it's officials and two terrorists were killed on the spot. The remaining two, as per reports, escaped and entered a nearby building and have been firing from there. Afghan forces are battling the holed up terrorists.

Afghan news agency Pajhwok Afghan News said in a tweet: "Two attackers were killed in fighting after insurgents attacked Indian consulate in Mazarisharif city."

Update: Two attackers were killed in fighting after insurgents attacked Indian consulate in Mazarisharif city. source #Afghanistan — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) January 3, 2016

Meanwhile, ITBP officials in Delhi said that it's commandos in Indian consulate in Afghanistan are engaged in a gun battle with terrorists.

As per media reports, terror group Haqqani Network's hand is being suspected in this attack. However, there is no official confirmation yet.

Police says, no casualties yet reported from attack on #Indian Consulate in Maza-i-Sharif city. #Afghanistan — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) January 3, 2016

"We are being attacked. Fighting is going on," said an Indian consulate official from Mazar-i-Sharif, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, BBC also said explosions and gunfire were heard near the Indian consulate.

The report said it was not immediately clear whether the consulate was directly targeted, as the area also has a building belonging to a local politician.

Indian diplomatic missions in Afghanistan have come under militant attacks earlier too. In 2008 and 2009, the embassy in Kabul was attacked, leaving dozens dead.

In May 2014, gunmen attacked the Indian consulate in Herat, while in August 2013, nine civilians died when the consulate in Jalalabad was targeted.

The attack comes a day after at least half a dozen of terrorists attacked the Air force base in Punjab’s Pathakot district. Four terrorists have been killed so far, while the operation to kill the remaining two is on. Seven Indian soldiers have also attained martyrdom.