Nirupama Rao in Kabul to assess situation

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao arrived in Kabul to assess the situation arising out of Thursday''s bomb blast outside the Indian embassy there, which claimed 17 lives and injured over 60.

Rao will consult with senior embassy officials on the next steps for ensuring the safety and security of Indian embassy staff, sources said.

Earlier, Rao and India''s Ambassador to Afghanistan Jayant Prasad had said the intensity of the blast was similar to the July 7, 2008.

Rao had also said that the suicide attack in Kabul was directed at the Indian embassy.

No embassy staff was killed in the attack, but three ITBP personnel deployed for security duties outside the embassy had received minor injuries.

Seventeen people were killed and over 60 were injured in the explosion.

Also See: Interview with Jayant Prasad, ambassador to Afghanisthan