Warning shots

The 20-hour-long Taliban attack,blamed on the Haqqani network by Afghan officials,came at a critical time for Afghanistan still in the early days of the NATO draw-down and phased handover to Afghan forces. Kabul itself was transferred about three months ago,and since then the Taliban has attempted at least three big attacks on the city including the British Council attack in August,of which only one was prevented. The latest attack with insurgents holed up in a multistorey building at the citys centre near the US embassy and NATO headquarters doesnt just expose the Talibans ability to slip through security barriers; it also problematises the project of reconciliation,which attempts talking to moderate Taliban groups in order to stabilise Afghanistan as NATO gradually withdraws. With the Taliban keeping up its attacks on NATO and Hamid Karzais government,its doubtful now if they can be talked to at all.

Meanwhile,Tuesday saw four attacks by four groups in four locations across Kabul which renewed misgivings about the Afghan forces ability to handle security in NATOs absence. Although they successfully battled the insurgents without combat help from NATO primarily US forces,their lack of human and military resources doesnt engender public confidence a public confidence the government needs and that attacks like these destroy. The Talibans changed tactics of guerrilla attacks,high-profile assassinations,infiltrations and use of rogue soldiers and policemen are difficult to tackle with weak recruitment filters. Not only do the Afghan security forces suffer from desertions but it is believed the insurgents could not have penetrated the Ring of Steel checkpoint and the citys centre without inside help.

Under the circumstances,theres a lot for India to do. Indias economic and industrial activities in Afghanistan are premised on security. If that security is absent,New Delhi cannot hinge on the assumed status quo but embark on the diplomatic and political task of talking to all concerned and safeguarding Indian interests. Just as Delhi needs administrative stability in Afghanistan,it must also help in obtaining that stability. For its part,the US,with a withdrawal deadline of 2014,must show its will to stay back if necessary. Without the demonstration of that will,all the Taliban needs to do is persist in guerrilla attacks till that hour.