India to send more ITBP troops to Afghanistan

Following the audacious attack in Kabul on places frequented by Indians, the government on Friday decided to send 40 additional Indo-Tibetan Border Police commandos to secure its people and installations in the war-hit country.

The ITBP commandos will leave for the neighbouring country on Saturday. Sources said while some would be deployed in the Indian missions, a few others would be stationed in guest houses frequently used by Indians involved in development work, official sources said. A team of central security agencies will also leave for Afghanistan shortly to review the security situation.

Based on the report filed by the team, sources said the government would decide whether to scale up the deployment of Indian security personnel. Seven Indians, including three major-rank Army officers, were killed when Taliban suicide bombers carried out a string of attacks in the heart of Kabul on February 26, in yet another incident targeting Indian interests in Afghanistan.

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

According to the strategy planned after the latest attack, Indians working on various government projects will be housed in protected establishments, the sources said.

Nearly 4000 Indians are engaged in reconstruction projects in health, power, roads and social sector across Afghanistan under the $1.3 billion assistance programme. India is also looking at the options of securing the staff of its Embassy in Kabul and four consulates and will be open to the idea of pruning their strength if it becomes absolutely essential, the sources said.

India has already halted operations of its medical mission in Kabul because of lack of adequate personnel, as one of its 11 members was killed and four others injured in the terror strike.