Terrorists attack Indian Consulate in Afghanistan's Jalalabad, no one hurt

Militants attacked the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Jalalabad town with a suicide bomber blowing up near the consulate in the afternoon today, in what is the latest terrorist assault in the eastern Afghan city.

No casualties were reported in the blast, which shattered windows and doors in nearby buildings and destroyed at least eight cars.

The attack comes nearly two months after a suicide attack on the nearby Pakistani Consulate in Jalalabad in January.

"Our consulate has been targeted but everyone is safe," MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup said, adding that the Indo Tibetan Border Police and Afghan security forces are engaged in a gunbattle with terrorists.

At least two explosions amidst gunfire were heard near the Indian consulate in Jalalabad today.

The area houses other foreign consulates, including that of Pakistan.

India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) has confirmed that it was a suicide explosion, which targeted the Indian consulate.

However, all Indian consulate officials are safe, the MEA said.

MEA is also gathering more information regarding the blasts.

The ITBP and Afghanistan security forces are currently engaged in a fierce gunbattle with terrorists who are believed to be hiding in a nearby building.

Early in January, the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif city was also attacked. Afghan Police had reportedly blamed Pakistan military personnel for that attack.