PM Modi thanks Afghan prez for safety of Indian consulate, personnel

In his telephonic conversation, the Afghan president has also condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot in Punjab.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked President Ashraf Ghani for the prompt response by his country's security forces to thwart an attack on the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif and said that India would always stand with the people of Afghanistan notwithstanding the terror attack.

In his telephonic conversation with President Ghani, PM Modi expressed deep appreciation for the exemplary bravery and courage shown by the Afghan security forces in thwarting the terrorist attack and ensuring security to the Indian diplomatic personnel.

President Ghani had telephoned PM Modi to apprise him of the latest developments in the wake of terror attack on the Indian consulate.

The Afghan president also condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab, and expressed grief for the loss of seven Indian security personnel in its wake.

PM Modi thanked him for Afghanistan's support to the Indian mission and for the efforts made to contain the situation.

On Monday, the Afghan forces were making a final push to flush out militants holed up inside a building near the consulate.

On Sunday night, a small group of militants had tried to storm the Indian diplomatic mission in Mazar-i-Sharif but the attempt had failed.

They took shelter in a nearby house from where they are now mounting the attack.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the raid.

The Afghan authorities said the militants are heavily armed.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup has confirmed that there is no Indian casualty.

Sunday's attack came as Indian security forces were still trying to suppress the assault on the IAF base in Pathankot.