Modi stresses need for Indo-Afghan talks

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the recent deadly terror attacks in Afghanistan, saying terrorists are being equipped and funded for such attacks in the neighborhood.

The Indian PM said this in telephone talks with Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani, said a press release issued by Presidential Palace Wednesday.

“The terrorists’ centres are located in ours and yours neighborhood which are funded and equipped for such attacks,” the statement quoted the India PM as saying.

Stressing the need for talks on elimination of terror hideouts, he said further serous struggle needed to be continued for this purpose.

Though the Indian PM did not name any specific country, Afghan and US officials always accuse Pakistan of supporting Haqqani Network which is seen behind such attacks, a claim rejected by Pakistan.

Modi also offered his country’s help to Afghanistan for the treatment of the victims of these attacks.

President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani thanked the Indian prime minister for his sympathies and condolences to the people of Afghanistan.

The time has come to expedite efforts to isolate countries supporting terrorism, Ghani said, adding the recent terror attacks in Kabul were similar to the terror attacks in Mumbai and New York.

Though Afghan officials accuse Pakistan of supporting Taliban’s Haqqani Network, Pakistan foreign ministry officials said that Pakistan had handed over 27 suspected members of Haqqani Network to Kabul before Gen. Bajwa’s visit to Afghanistan last year.

Meanwhile, a team of Afghan officials comprising of interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak and NDS chief Masoom Stankezai is visiting Pakistan to share proofs and documents relating to the recent deadly attacks with Pakistani officials.