Gunfight outside Indian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif ends; PM Modi thanks Afghan prez for safety of diplomatic mission

New Delhi: Afghan security forces late on Monday night killed all the terrorists involved in the attack on the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, ending a 25-hour siege that had heightened concern about India's security.

Following a botched attempt to storm the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif on Sunday night, the militants had held their fort inside a house close to the mission building, with Afghan security forces cordoning off the area and mounting a final assault to end the siege.

The ensuing gunbattle lasted throughout the day on Monday.

However, all the personnel at the Indian consulate were safe and the building was secured. 

An Afghan police officer has also been killed in the gunfight.

On Sunday night, some 5 or 6 militants had tried to storm the Indian consulate in the city. However, prompt action by the Afghan forces have repelled the attack. The militants then took shelter in a house close to the consulate and from where they had resumed their gunfight on Monday.

Images taken from the scene show the Afghan troops being heli-dropped at the encounter site in a bid to consolidate their positions.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the raid. The militants were heavily armed.

On Monday afternoon, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to update him on the latest development.

WATCH: Afghan forces chopper-dropped at encounter site in Mazar-i-Sharif

PM Modi expressed deep appreciation for the bravery shown by the Afghan security forces in thwarting the terrorist attack and ensuring safety of the Indian Consulate and personnel.

President Ghani also expressed grief at the loss of life in the terror attack in Pathankot in which seven Indian security personnel were martyred.

Describing the attack in Mazar-i-Sharif, spokesman for the governor of Balkh province Muneer Ahmad Farhad said: "They (Militants faced resistance from the guards and, instead, entered a house about 100 metres from the consulate and opened fire from there." Details about civilian casualties are not clear.

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha confirmed all the personnel in the consulate are safe.

Afghan security forces have carried out a door-to-door search in the area to make sure the area is secured.

Sunday's attack comes as Indian security forces were trying to suppress an assault on an Air Force base in Pathankot in Punjab.