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Attack on Indian consulate in Herat, Afghanistan Indian consulate in Herat, Afghanistan attacked
(about 1 hour later)
The Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat has been attacked, and the area is surrounded by security forces. The Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat has been attacked by at least three heavily-armed gunmen.
Police said three gunmen opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades but one of them was killed. The other two fled into a nearby building. The men used nearby houses to fire on the building with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, police said.
It is not clear who is behind the attack and there are no details of casualties. Two of the attackers were killed during a lengthy gun battle with security forces. The Indian foreign ministry said all of its personnel were safe.
Later the Indian foreign ministry said all of its personnel were safe. Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks in recent weeks as foreign troops begin to withdraw from the country.
Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for the Indian government, confirmed the incident and praised "brave" consulate staff and Afghan security forces for repelling the attack. Questions will now be asked as to how insurgents were able to get into one of the most secure parts of Herat, the BBC's Bilal Sarwary reports from Kabul.
"All safe. Operation underway," he tweeted. He says this is the latest in a long line of attacks on Indian targets in Afghanistan.
It is not clear who carried out this attack, but previous incidents have been blamed on militants from the Haqqani network, an al Qaeda-linked group suspected of having ties to Pakistani military intelligence.
The latest attack comes on the eve of the inauguration of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Election run-off
The attackers are reported to have entered homes around the consulate before dawn, and began shooting on the compound.
Some reports suggested there were up to four gunmen.
Security forces quickly surrounded the area and a gun battle lasting several hours ensued.
Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for the Indian government, confirmed the incident and said "brave" Indian paramilitary forces guarding the building were able to "thwart the initial attack" before being joined by Afghan troops.
Herat lies near Afghanistan's border with Iran and is considered one of the safer cities in the country.Herat lies near Afghanistan's border with Iran and is considered one of the safer cities in the country.
In September 2013, the Taliban launched a similar assault on the US consulate in the city, killing at least four Afghans but failing to enter the compound or hurt any Americans.In September 2013, the Taliban launched a similar assault on the US consulate in the city, killing at least four Afghans but failing to enter the compound or hurt any Americans.
Friday's incident comes on the eve of the inauguration of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks in recent weeks as foreign troops begin to withdraw from the country.
Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the first round of elections in April to replace outgoing President Karzai.Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the first round of elections in April to replace outgoing President Karzai.
The second round, due in mid-June, pits front-runner Abdullah Abdullah against Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist.The second round, due in mid-June, pits front-runner Abdullah Abdullah against Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist.