Two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel were on Thursday killed and six others critically injured when a suspected Taliban militant blew himself up in south-western province of Afghanistan, sending shockwaves among Indians employed there. The suicide attack targeted a convoy of Border Roads Organisation which is constructing the Zaranj-Delaram road in Afghanistan.

Hours after the attack, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said in a statement here that a team to review the security arrangements is visiting Afghanistan immediately.

India will work with the Afghan government to strengthen security at project sites and other locations where Indian nationals were working for reconstruction of war-ravaged Afghanistan. Around 300 ITBP personnel are deployed there. “We understand that at least two of our security personnel have been killed and some others injured. A number of Afghan security personnel have also been killed,” the statement said.

India’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Rakesh Sood is making efforts to airlift the injured to a place where they can be provided better medical treatment.

Strongly condemning the act of terrorism, India said it was aimed against its aid and humanitarian programme in Afghanistan.

New Delhi reiterated its determination to continue to work for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the well-being of Afghan people.

“We are contacting the families of the deceased and wounded. Compensation and insurance for the victims will be disbursed immediately,” the statement said.

According to official sources, one of the deceased had been identified as Inspector Manoj Kumar. The condition of five of the injured was stated to be very critical.

Contacts had been established with Afghan Defence Ministry which had assured airlifting the deceased and the injured to Kabul on Friday and later to India.

Giving details about the incident, the sources said an improvised explosive device, planted in a motor cycle, was detonated when the last convoy of BRO was returning from work.

The ITBP and Afghan Police personnel rushed to the spot when a suicide bomber blew himself up.

The sources said 11 Afghan policemen, also on guard duty, were also killed.

“The government of India deeply regrets the loss of life and offers its deep condolences to the families of the deceased,” the MEA statement said.