I did not say Indians were not targeted: Holbrooke

"I regret any misunderstanding caused by my comments on the recent terrorist attack in Kabul, which claimed the lives of 6 Indians and at least ten citizens of other nations," US Special Representative For Afghanistan And Pakistan Richard C Holbrooke said Friday.

"I did not say Indians were not targeted, but that initially it looked like the target was not an official Indian facility," he said. "Early reports on events like this are often unreliable, and I try not to jump to conclusions."

"We all know that Indian citizens have and continue to be targeted by terrorists, including inside Afghanistan," Holbrooke said adding, "My heart goes out to the families of all of the victims."

"The Afghan people and international community deeply appreciate the very substantial humanitarian and reconstruction assistance that India provides Afghanistan," he said in a bid to soothe any ruffled feathers in New Delhi.

"The willingness of India to take risks and make sacrifices to help Afghanistan is testament to India's commitment global peace and prosperity and a vital part of the international commitment to Afghanistan's future," Holbrooke said.

At a media briefing here Tuesday Holbrooke had said: "First of all, in regard to this attack, I don't accept the fact that this was an attack on an Indian facility like the embassy."
"There were foreigners, non-Indian foreigners hurt. It was a soft target.  And let's not jump to conclusions," he told reporters when asked how Indians in Afghanistan could feel safe in the wake of last week's attack.

"I understand why everyone in Pakistan and everyone in India always focuses on the other. But please, let's not draw a conclusion which - for which there's no proof," he said.