Security for Indians in Afghanistan being increased

New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) In the wake of the recent attack
in Kabul targeting Indians, security of all Indians working in
Afghanistan is being increased but there would be no scaling
down of personnel or projects.
Sources here also made it clear that India is "not
reaching out" to Taliban and before thinking about that, it
will await the results of the campaign launched by the US-led
forces in Helmand and the proposed military action to be
initiated in Kandahar.
India is conscious of the dangers posed to its interests
by the Taliban and lately Lashkar-e-Taiba in Afghanistan but
that will not deter it from continuing the developmental and
reconstruction projects it is committed to.
There are about 3,500 Indians engaged in such projects
but not many of them are working for Indian government
programmes as a substantial number have been contracted by
firms of other countries, the sources said.
However, after the February 26 attack, India is
increasing security for its personnel working on
reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, they said.
The Indian medical mission in Kabul, which was the worst
hit in the February 26 attack, had to be scaled down as most
of its members were hurt and one was killed.
"It is not a full stop to our developmental projects in
Afghanistan," the sources said, adding all other
reconstruction activities and Indian medical missions in other
places of Afghanistan are continuing their work.
The Indian medical mission in Kabul has treated 3.1 lakh
people and it has won considerable dividends for India as the
work has been appreciated in Afghanistan as well by other
countries, they said. (MORE) PTI