Two Indian security personnel were killed and at least six critically injured when a suspected Taliban suicide bomber targeted a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) convoy in Afghanistan. The incident took place in the country’s south western province where India is building the crucial Zaranj-Delaram link road.The two security personnel were part of a 250-strong Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) contingent providing security for BRO workers. Reports said 11 Afghan security personnel were also killed in the attack. “We understand that at least two of our security personnel have been killed and some injured. A number of Afghan security personnel have also been killed,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said. He added that efforts were being made to airlift the injured to a place where they could be provided better treatment. The identity of the deceased has not been revealed as authorities were first trying to get in touch with their families. “We are contacting the families of the deceased and wounded. Compensation and insurance for the victims will be disbursed immediately,” the spokesperson said.Within hours of the attack, India announced that a special team was being dispatched immediately to review the security arrangements and identify additional safety measures. “India will work with the Government of Afghanistan to strengthen security at project sites and other locations where Indian nationals are working for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. A team to review security arrangements and identify additional measures is visiting Afghanistan immediately,” the MEA spokesperson said. This is the second time that the BRO team has been targeted by militants in Afghanistan. Work on the same road project slowed down in 2005 after the beheading of a BRO driver, M Raman Kutty, by the Taliban. BRO officials said the project would have been completed last year if work had not been slowed down due to additional security measures following the 2005 attack. The Rs 600-crore project is now due for completion by May this year. Officials said work was now restricted to the day and shifts were shortened. Workers, who were earlier scattered throughout the project length, were housed in a single camp after the attack for security reasons. The 218-km road will give landlocked Afghanistan access to an Iranian port by tapping into the Garland Highway, which connects Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif with Kandahar and Herat. It would also allow India to bypass Pakistan and get a direct link to Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar port.
