Taliban don’t wait for talks, behead Indian engineer

The Indian team of negotiators, headed by joint secretary K B S Katoch and two members of security agencies, sent to deal with the crisis reached Kabul via Doha around 9.30 am, an hour after Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood was told about the body being spotted by a highway patrol.

In its efforts to secure Suryanarayan’s release, India was in touch with countries involved in Afghanistan, including Pakistan, the Afghan authorities and international security forces deployed in the Zabul area.

During the November crisis involving Maniappan Kutty, the BRO driver who was eventually killed by his captors, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan had spoken to his Pakistan counterpart Tariq Aziz.

E Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs, told The Indian Express that news of Suryanarayan’s death came when India was putting together all “possible channels” to secure his release.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said that the kidnappers were “not interested in negotiations and the killing was premeditated.” He said the international community, including Pakistan, must recognise the true colours of Taliban.

The Bahrain firm which had employed Suryanarayan too had turned to countries where they have a presence—this includes Pakistan—to help secure his release.

“We had approached the goverments wherever we have our networks for his release. But sadly, we did not get enough time”, Waji Ahmed, spokesperson of the company said from Bahrain.

The firm announced Rs 20 lakh as immediate help to the family.

Ambassador Rakesh Sood denied the Taliban claim that Suryanaryan was shot dead while trying to flee from captivity. “He was beheaded. There was no sign of bullet injuries on his body”, he told The Indian Express.

Surayanarayan’s body will be brought to his Hyderabad home by 5.30 pm tomorrow. President APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi condemned the killing and offered their condolences to the family.