India building new 'chancellery' in Afghanistan

The government is in the process of building a well-protected "chancellery" cum living quarters in Kabul, which will house over 500 Indians within its safe confines.

Home Ministry officials said construction was on in full swing on the particular piece of land in Kabul that India had bought in 1963 in the diplomatic area, where the US and the UK have built their embassies and living places.

They said the best anti-sabotage technology and mind are being put in place to prevent any casualty of Indians within the area in case of any terror attack.

Boom-barriers, refurbished walls to withstand impact of a bomb blast and infra-red closed circuit television cameras among others would also be put into place besides Indo-Tibetan Border Police commandos, who will give round the clock security to the buildings within the area.

They said the protected area will also house government officials involved in developmental work in the war-ravaged country.

The move to make such a protected area comes just weeks after a series of attacks carried out on lodges which left seven Indians dead, including three major rank officers of the army.

As per both domestic and international intelligence agencies, Indian establishments in Kabul are high on terror target.

The government has already sanctioned another 40 ITBP commandos for security of Indian establishments in Kabul, which will take the total number of personnel to over 200.

India is reworking its strategy on its presence there while continuing with the developmental projects to which it has affirmed its commitment.

About 4,000 Indians are engaged in reconstruction projects in health, power, roads and social sector across Afghanistan.

A team of central security agencies would also leave for Afghanistan shortly to review the security situation.