View source for 2008 bombing of Indian embassy in Kabul

{{Short description|Suicide bomb terrorist attack}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Coord|34.533|69.166|display=title}}
{{Infobox terrorist attack
| title = 2008 Embassy bombing in Kabul
| image = 2008 07 07 Kabul.jpg
| caption = The blast site outside the Indian embassy in Kabul
| location = Embassy of India, Malalai Watt, Shahr-e-Nau, [[Kabul]], Afghanistan<ref name="Indian Missions Abroad">{{cite web|url=http://india.gov.in/overseas/indian_missions.php|title=Indian Missions Abrogilanaiad|publisher=india.gov.in|access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413182635/http://india.gov.in/overseas/indian_missions.php |archive-date=13 April 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| target = Indian embassy
| date = 7 July 2008
| time-begin = 8:30&nbsp;a.m. local time. (0400 GMT)
| time-end = 
| timezone = 
| type = [[Suicide attack|Suicide]] [[car bomb]]
| fatalities = 58<ref name="ref1">{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/09/news/Afghan-Explosion.php |title=AP Interview: Indian Embassy bomber hoped to destroy Kabul embassy, ambassador says |work=International Herald Tribune |access-date=10 July 2008}}</ref>
| injuries = 141
| susperps = 
| perps = [[Taliban]] (suspected)
}}
The '''2008 Indian embassy bombing in Kabul''' was a suicide bomb [[terror attack]] on the [[Embassy of India, Kabul|Indian embassy in Kabul]], Afghanistan on 7 July 2008 at 8:30&nbsp;AM local time.<ref name="Militants mounting pressure to destabilise Afghan gov't">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506817.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021060925/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506817.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=Militants mounting pressure to destabilize Afghan gov't|last=Haleem|first=Abdul |author2=Lin Jing |date=7 July 2008|publisher=news.xinhuanet.com|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> The bombing killed 58 people<ref name="ref1" /> and wounded 141.<ref name="IFS officer, Brig among Indians killed in blast" /> The [[suicide attack|suicide car bombing]] took place near the gates of the embassy during morning hours when officials enter the embassy.<ref name="TYNT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/world/asia/08afghanistan.html?bl&ex=1215662400&en=ad01f9406367688f&ei=5087%0A|title=Suicide Car Blast Kills 41 in Afghan Capital|last=Wafa|first=Abdul Waheed|author2=Alan Cowell|work=The New York Times |access-date=3 August 2008 |date=8 July 2008<!--DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes news">{{Cite news |date=7 July 2008 |title=hindustantimes news |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |agency=Agence France-Presse |location=India |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Afghanistan/India-s-embassy-in-Kabul-bombed/Article1-322306.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508120224/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Afghanistan/India-s-embassy-in-Kabul-bombed/Article1-322306.aspx |archive-date=2013-05-08}}</ref><ref name="Indian embassy in Afghanistan reopens for business">{{cite news|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2302548.htm?tab=asia|title=Indian embassy in Afghanistan reopens for business|date=14 July 2008|publisher=radioaustralia.net.au|access-date=14 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812080648/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2302548.htm?tab=asia |archive-date=12 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Campaignbox Afghan War}}Unnamed U.S. [[CIA]] officials suggested to ''[[The New York Times]]'' that [[Pakistan]]'s [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] had planned the attack.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/world/asia/01pstan.html |title=Pakistanis Aided Attack in Kabul, U.S. Officials Say |author=Mark Mazzetti and Eric Schmitt |date=1 August 2008 |work=New York Times |access-date=1 March 2010  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416182042/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/world/asia/01pstan.html |archive-date=16 April 2009 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref> Pakistan denied this claim.<ref name="nyt" /><ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/01/pakistan.usa|title=Pakistan condemns New York Times claims|date=1 August 2008|work=The Guardian |location=London|first=Mark |last=Tran |access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref> 

According to British journalist [[Christina Lamb]], United States President [[George W. Bush]] confronted [[Pakistani Prime Minister|Pakistani prime minister]] [[Yusuf Raza Gilani]] and stated that in the case of another such attack he would have to take "serious action".<ref name="timesonline">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article4449330.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006102655/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article4449330.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2008|title=Rogue Pakistan spies aid Taliban in Afghanistan|author=Christina Lamb
|work=The Times |location=London|date=3 August 2008|access-date=2 August 2008 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref> Gilani promised to investigate the attack.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baruah |first=Amit |title=Pak agrees to probe attack on Indian embassy |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srilanka/Pakistan-to-probe-Indian-embassy-attack-in-Kabul/Article1-328402.aspx |access-date=4 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605192429/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/srilanka/Pakistan-to-probe-Indian-embassy-attack-in-Kabul/Article1-328402.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-05}}</ref><ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jij3CUWOld4-yBla5SQyQCDXYiGQD92A9L081 The Associated Press: Pakistan to probe Indian embassy bombing in Kabul] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806004115/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jij3CUWOld4-yBla5SQyQCDXYiGQD92A9L081 |date=6 August 2008}}</ref> Subsequently, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman [[Mohammed Sadiq (diplomat)|Mohammed Sadiq]] described ''The New York Times'' report as "total rubbish" and said there was no evidence of ISI involvement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan condemns US claims of involvement in Kabul Indian embassy bombing |date=2008-08-01 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624080645/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/01/pakistan.usa |archive-date=2023-06-24 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/01/pakistan.usa}}</ref>

==Background==
{{Main|Indo-Afghan relations}}
During the United States-led [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|invasion of Afghanistan]] in 2001, India offered [[Intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]] and other forms of support to the [[ISAF|coalition forces]]. After the overthrow of the [[Taliban]], India established diplomatic relations with the newly elected democratic government, provided aid and participated in Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts through the construction of roads, railways, electricity transmission lines, schools and hospitals.<ref name="CFR">{{cite web |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/14969/ |title=India's Northern Exposure|access-date=3 June 2008 |publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303135744/http://www.cfr.org/publication/14969/ |archive-date=3 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Indo-Afghan relations strengthened in the wake of Afghanistan's persisting tensions and problems with [[Pakistan]], which is widely believed to shelter and support the Taliban.<ref name="CFR" /><ref name="IP" /> Both India and Afghanistan also developed strategic and military cooperation against the insurgency.<ref name="IP">{{cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1067690.html |title=Kabul's India ties worry Pakistan|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |access-date=3 June 2008 |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe]], [[Radio Liberty]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611105916/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/04/b5bfe0be-ed5d-43de-a768-99a6ab1e6c5c.html|archive-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=live|last1=Tarzi |first1=Amin }}</ref> India pursued a policy of close cooperation with Afghanistan in order to gain friendly influence in Central Asia as well as to keep a check on [[Terrorism in Kashmir|Kashmiri militants]] that it claims are operating from the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.<ref name="CFR" /> India also provides training to [[Afghan National Army]] officers and military personnel at its training institutions, including the [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] and the School of Artillery at [[Devlali]].<ref name="Brigadier targeted for role in training Afghan army">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Brigadier-targeted-for-role-in-training-Afghan-army/articleshow/3208668.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021053655/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-08/india/27908445_1_afghan-army-afghan-defence-minister-abdul-rahim-wardak|url-status=live|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=Brigadier targeted for role in training Afghan army|last=Pandit|first=Rajat |date=8 July 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 July 2008}}</ref> India has also helped Afghanistan in "capacity-building" by training Afghan pilots and technicians in operating Russian-origin [[Mi-35]] helicopter gunships. India is also a supplier of military parts for Soviet-era Afghan tanks and aircraft.<ref name="Brigadier targeted for role in training Afghan army" />

By 2007, India had pledged US$850&nbsp;million to Afghan reconstruction efforts, the largest amount from any country without a military presence in Afghanistan, and later scaled up the aid to more than US$1&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1820716,00.html |title=Afghan Bombing Fuels Regional Furore – TIME |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=7 July 2008 |first=Jyoti |last=Thottam |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708152838/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1820716%2C00.html |archive-date=8 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> India is currently the largest regional donor of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in post-Taliban Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1067690.html |title=[Afghanistan: Kabul's India Ties Worry Pakistan&#93; – [Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty 2008&#93;|access-date=8 July 2008 |date=16 April 2006 |author=Amin Tarzi |newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803080012/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1067690.html| archive-date=3 August 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/14969/ |title=India's Northern Exposure – Council on Foreign Relations |access-date=10 July 2008 |author=Jayshree Bajoria|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303135744/http://www.cfr.org/publication/14969/ |archive-date=3 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> About 3,000 Indians are estimated to be working on various reconstruction and developmental projects in Afghanistan, and they have often been subjected to attacks by Taliban insurgents.<ref name="Sify news.">{{cite journal|title=India condemns attack on its embassy in Kabul|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14710158|date=7 July 2008|website=Sify News|access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707211211/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14710158|archive-date=7 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2005, after an incident in which an Indian national was kidnapped and murdered, India deployed 200 soldiers of the elite [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] (ITBP) to provide security for Indian nationals and the projects supported by India.<ref name="CFR" /> By 2008, ITBP's presence in Afghanistan was steadily increased to over 400 personnel.<ref name="Advisory had warned ITBP jawans of attack">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Advisory-had-warned-ITBP-jawans-of-attack/articleshow/3208667.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024115815/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-08/india/27937927_1_highway-project-embassy-bombing-taliban|url-status=live|archive-date=24 October 2012|title=Advisory had warned ITBP jawans of attack|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|date=7 August 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

India's growing influence in Afghanistan upset Pakistan and other pro-Taliban elements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050203550800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824032943/http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050203550800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 August 2011 |title=Opinion / Editorials : India's troubles in Afghanistan |access-date=8 July 2008 |location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 May 2006}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' said in an editorial that with the United States and other [[NATO]] members unwilling to sustain long-term commitments to Afghanistan, the Taliban saw India as the only regional enemy capable of resisting them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4295636.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007052658/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4295636.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2008 |title=A vicious attack on India's crucial role in Afghanistan |access-date=10 July 2008 |author=<!-- Print Author name from By Line associated with the article --> Amir Taheri |location=London |work=The Times |date=9 July 2008}}</ref>

===Other attacks on Indian interests===
According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', India's external ministry officials had been raising the issue of security of Indian personnel in Afghanistan for the past several months.<ref name=TYNT /> The Indian consulate in [[Jalalabad]] was attacked twice by [[hand grenades]] in 2007.<ref name="atimes1">{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JG09Df02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830080917/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JG09Df02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=30 August 2008 |title=Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan |access-date=8 July 2008}}</ref> One soldier of the [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] (ITBP) was killed and four others injured in an attack by the Taliban on 5 June 2008.<ref name="Advisory had warned ITBP jawans of attack" /> In the aftermath of the attack, [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|India's Home Ministry]] cautioned its ITBP personnel to take necessary precautionary measures and also to remain at guard against ''[[fidayeen]]'' (suicide bomber) attacks. It also noted that the security being provided by the Afghan Police was "not up to the mark".<ref name="Advisory had warned ITBP jawans of attack" /> In spite of these efforts, the embassy bombing of 2008 was later followed up by the [[2009 Kabul Indian embassy attack]] and the [[February 2010 Kabul attack]] on Indian citizens and interests in Afghanistan.

==The bombing==
The car bomb detonated at approximately 8:30&nbsp;a.m. local time on 7 July 2008. The Indian embassy, which is in the center of Kabul, is located across the street from the office of the Interior Ministry of the [[Government of Afghanistan]] and is close to several other government buildings. The bombing occurred on a busy, tree-lined street where people usually line up at the embassy gates to apply for visas to India.<ref name="Suicide blast kills 258 in Kabul">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/07/afghanistan.explosion/index.html|title=Suicide blast kills 28 in Kabul|date=7 July 2008|publisher=CNN |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710065105/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/07/afghanistan.explosion/index.html|archive-date=10 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="many">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/07/20087753022997637.html Many killed in Kabul suicide blast]. Al Jazeera. 7 July 2008.</ref> An explosive-packed [[Toyota Camry]], driven by the suicide bomber, rammed into two Indian diplomatic vehicles entering the embassy and detonated.<ref name="3-Suicide car bomb hits India Embassy in Afghanistan">{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idINISL16402520080707|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201093851/http://in.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idINISL16402520080707|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2013|title=3-Suicide car bomb hits India Embassy in Afghanistan|date=7 July 2008|work=Reuters|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> The gates to the embassy were blown off and the walls of some buildings in its compound were damaged.<ref name="Suicide bomber flattens India's embassy in Kabul">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/suicide-bomber-flattens-indias-embassy-in-kabul-20080707-34ar.html|title=Suicide bomber flattens India's embassy in Kabul|last=Wade|first=Matt |date=7 August 2008|work=The Age|access-date=7 July 2008|location=Melbourne, Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711182429/http://www.theage.com.au/world/suicide-bomber-flattens-indias-embassy-in-kabul-20080707-34ar.html|archive-date=11 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> A plume of smoke and dust was seen rising from the center of Kabul city, and the explosion was heard several miles away.<ref name="40 killed in Afghan Indian embassy attack">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Defence-attache-killed-in-Kabul-mission-blast/articleshow/3204993.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428133231/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-07/rest-of-world/27903897_1_ajai-pathania-gates-and-outer-structure-counsellor-venkateswara-rao|url-status=live|archive-date=28 April 2012|title=40 killed in Afghan Indian embassy attack|date=7 July 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> Several nearby shopkeepers also became immediate victims of the attack,<ref name="28 killed in blast near Indian Embassy in Kabul">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/28-killed-in-suicide-blast-near-indian-embassy/68441-2.html?xml|title=28 killed in blast near Indian Embassy in Kabul|date=7 July 2008|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ibnlive.com|access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804110620/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/28-killed-in-suicide-blast-near-indian-embassy/68441-2.html?xml|archive-date=4 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the nearby Indonesian embassy also suffered damage.<ref name="Militants mounting pressure to destabilise Afghan gov't" /> Kabul Police immediately sealed off the area.<ref name="40 killed in Afghan Indian embassy attack" />

A statement released by the Afghan interior ministry said, "The initial findings of the ministry show that the main target of this attack has not been security forces like in most attacks but has been particularly planned to target the Indian embassy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Afghanistan-hints-at-ISIs-involvement-in-attack/articleshow/3208851.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115243/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-08/india/27916496_1_afghanistan-hints-indian-embassy-afghan-interior-ministry |url-status=live |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Afghanistan hints at ISI's involvement in attack |access-date=8 July 2008 |location=India |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 July 2008}}</ref> There was immediate confusion and panic in the Indian embassy after the bomb blasts. According to a [[CNN]] reporter, a man who answered the phone at the Indian embassy abruptly hung up, saying, "We are not fine. All communications have been cut off".<ref name="Suicide blast kills 258 in Kabul" /> The [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India]] was reported to be in touch with India's ambassador to Afghanistan, [[Jayant Prasad]]. The Indian ambassador and his deputy were inside the building complex at the time of the explosion but were not hurt.<ref name="28 killed in blast near Indian Embassy in Kabul" /> Indian External Affairs Minister, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], called for an emergency meeting of officials in [[Delhi]] after the bomb attack to review security arrangements.<ref name="28 killed in blast near Indian Embassy in Kabul" /> An anonymous person reported that rumours said the Indian embassy had previously received bomb threats.<ref name="Militants mounting pressure to destabilise Afghan gov't" />

==Casualties==
Most of the 58 dead were locals and included two top Indian officials. [[Indian Army]] Brigadier [[Ravi Datt Mehta]] was entering the embassy gates in a car along with V. Venkateswara Rao when the attack took place. Both were killed in the blast.

===Indian casualties===
* [[Brigadier]] Ravi Datt Mehta had been assigned a key role as [[military attaché|defence attaché]], serving as part of India's military training and logistical help to Afghanistan, and was posted in Kabul for six months. He was said to have a "good relationship" with Afghan defence minister [[Abdul Rahim Wardak]]. During his tenure in the Indian Army, which he commenced with the class of June 1976, he had gained experience in counter-insurgency operations in both [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[North-East India]]. An Indian media report claimed that the main reason for Mehta's targeting by the terrorists was his key role in training the Afghan military and in closely tracking links between the Taliban and Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence.<ref name="Brigadier targeted for role in training Afghan army" />
* V. Venkateswara Rao was an [[Indian Foreign Service]] officer of the class of 1990 and was working as an Indian press counselor in the Afghan mission.<ref name="IFS officer, Brig among Indians killed in blast">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ifs-officer-brig-among-indians-killed-in-blast/68453-2.html|title=IFS officer, Brig among Indians killed in blast|date=7 July 2008|work=IBN|publisher=ibnlive.com|access-date=7 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710060457/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ifs-officer-brig-among-indians-killed-in-blast/68453-2.html| archive-date=10 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Two Indian officers of the [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]], Ajai Pathania and Roop Singh, were also killed in the blast.<ref name="Indian Embassy was warned of an attack: Reports">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080056014&ch=7%20July%202008%202:15:00%20PM |title=Indian Embassy was warned of an attack: Reports |date=7 July 2008 |work=NDTV Correspondent |publisher=ndtv.com |access-date=7 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710074429/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080056014 |archive-date=10 July 2008}}</ref>
An [[Indian Air Force]] [[IL-76]] aircraft was sent to Kabul to retrieve the four bodies.<ref name="Militants mounting pressure to destabilise Afghan gov't" />

===Casualties from other states===
Six Afghan police [[constables]] were killed and five others sustained injuries.<ref name="Militants mounting pressure to destabilise Afghan gov't" /> An Afghan Indian Embassy employee by the name of Niamutullah was also killed in the blast.<ref name="Rediff news" /> The five Afghan guards outside the Indonesian Embassy were killed, and two Indonesian diplomats were injured in the attack.<ref name="Two Indonesian diplomats injured in Afghanistan blast">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506441.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217013952/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506441.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2012|title=Two Indonesian diplomats injured in Afghanistan blast|date=7 July 2008|work=chinaview.cn |publisher=news.xinhuanet.com|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref>

==Investigations==
Afghanistan's intelligence agency [[Riyast-i-Amniyat-i-Milli]], India's [[Research and Analysis Wing]] and the United States' [[CIA]] are reported to be scanning vast volumes of intercepted communications and questioning informants to find some clues.<ref name=" Jihadist polemic holds clues to mission bombing">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070961251700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713023847/http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070961251700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2008|title=Jihadist polemic holds clues to mission bombing|last=Swami |first=Praveen|date=9 July 2008|access-date=9 July 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> According to ''[[CNN-IBN]]'', Indian and Afghan agencies believe that the [[Pakistani Army]]'s 324 Military Intelligence Battalion based in [[Peshawar]] had planned the attack on the Indian embassy and executed it in collaboration with either the Taliban or [[al-Qaida]].<ref name="ISI, al Qaeda planned Kabul blast: Sources">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/isi-al-qaeda-planned-kabul-blast-sources/68541-2.html?xml|title=ISI, al Qaeda planned Kabul blast: Sources|first=V.K. |last=Shashikumar |date=9 July 2008|publisher=ibnlive.com|access-date=9 July 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804111059/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/isi-al-qaeda-planned-kabul-blast-sources/68541-2.html?xml| archive-date=4 August 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> Afghanistan's Interior Minister has stated that the suicide bombers were trained in Pakistan.<ref name="Afghanistan says embassy bombers trained in Pakistan">{{cite news|url=http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnL09291061.html|title=Afghanistan says embassy bombers trained in Pakistan|date=7 September 2008|work=Reuters|access-date=9 July 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201061141/http://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnL09291061.html|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

India's ambassador to Afghanistan, Jayant Prasad, stated that, after reviewing the scene, the main target of the attack was believed to be the Indian embassy building. He also added that, considering the huge amount of explosives used in the attack, it was clear that target was not top Indian diplomatic officials but the embassy itself. Bomb scene review further revealed that the embassy guard killed in the attack had his hand on the closed gates. The ambassador stated that it is likely that the guard did not open the gate because he saw a suspicious car driving behind an embassy vehicle. The suicide attacker then might have decided to explode his device near the gate rather than inside the embassy's compound. According to investigating officials, much of the impact was taken up by the sand filled [[separation barrier|blast barriers]]. These barriers, which were built across the embassy for added protection just one week before the blast, saved it from structural damage.<ref name=" AP Interview: Indian Embassy bomber hoped to destroy Kabul embassy, ambassador says">{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/09/news/Afghan-Explosion.php|title=AP Interview: Indian Embassy bomber hoped to destroy Kabul embassy, ambassador says|date=7 September 2008|agency=Associated Press|work=International Herald Tribune|access-date=9 July 2008}}</ref>

An investigative report in the ''[[Times of India]]'' identified the attacker as "22-year-old Hamza Shakoor from [[Gujranwala]] district in [[Pakistan]]," citing unnamed sources. It also claimed that "intelligence about an imminent attack was remarkably precise, giving an indication about the centres of planning and execution."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kabul Embassy Suicide Bomber Hamza Is From Pak|date=8 April 2008|work=Times of India |location=India}}</ref> [[United States Secretary of Defense|US Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert Gates]] added that the US was offering help to Afghan and Indian governments to investigate further.<ref name="No foreign hand in Kabul blast: Robert Gates">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/10kabul2.htm|title=No foreign hand in Kabul blast: Robert Gates|date=10 July 2008 |work=PTI|publisher=rediff.com|access-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713101407/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/10kabul2.htm| archive-date=13 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Soon American officials came to believe that the attack was conducted by the [[Haqqani network]], a [[Taliban]] group led by [[Maulavi Jalaluddin Haqqani]] from [[Pakistan]].<ref name="nyt" />

===Pakistani involvement===
On 13 July India stated their suspicions about the [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI's]] involvement in the attack. India's [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] [[M.K. Narayanan]] said, "We have no doubt that the ISI is behind this."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gulfnews.com/world/India/10228506.html |title=Gulfnews: India blames Pakistan for Kabul embassy attack |access-date=16 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715160825/http://www.gulfnews.com/world/India/10228506.html |archive-date=15 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 1 August 2008, United States intelligence officials said that the Pakistani intelligence services helped the Haqqani network plan the attack.<ref name="nyt" /> Their conclusions were based on intercepted communications between Pakistani intelligence officers and the perpetrators before the attack. [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] deputy director [[Stephen R. Kappes]] had visited [[Islamabad]] before the attack to confront senior Pakistani officials with information about support provided by members of the ISI to militant groups. The officials said that the ISI officers involved had not been renegades, indicating that their actions might have been authorised by superiors in the [[Pakistan Army]]. It confirmed suspicions that were long held, an 'aha moment'.<ref name="nyt" />

US officials also called into question the reliability of Pakistan as an ally in the American [[war on terror]].<ref name="nyt" /> According to an article by British journalist [[Christina Lamb]], President [[George W. Bush]] confronted [[Pakistani prime minister]] [[Yusuf Raza Gillani]] in Washington D.C., with evidence of ISI's involvement in the Kabul attack and warned that in case of another attack he would have to take "serious action".<ref name="timesonline" />

===Motivations===
During the [[Taliban]] regime in Afghanistan, which was backed by Pakistan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB227/index.htm |title=Pakistan: "The Taliban's Godfather"? |access-date=8 July 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708224453/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB227/index.htm| archive-date=8 July 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> India had supported the [[United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan|Northern Alliance]] that opposed the Taliban.<ref name="Afghan Bombing Fuels Regional Furor">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1820716,00.html |title=Afghan Bombing Fuels Regional Furor |last=Thottam |first=Jyoti |date=7 July 2008 |magazine=Time |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708152838/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1820716%2C00.html |archive-date=8 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, India opened four consulates in [[Herat]], [[Mazari Sharif]], [[Kandahar]] and [[Jalalabad]] and backed [[Hamid Karzai]]'s national government as well as the US-led [[ISAF]] against the Taliban insurgency. India is Afghanistan's fifth-largest bilateral donor<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baruah |first=Amit |title=Why Indians were targeted? |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/Why-Indians-were-targeted/Article1-322484.aspx |access-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605191549/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/Why-Indians-were-targeted/Article1-322484.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-05}}</ref> and its growing presence in post-war Afghanistan has caused much concern to the Taliban and Pakistan as it views Indian measures as a threat to its influence in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0912/p07s01-wosc.html |title=India-Pakistan rivalry reaches into Afghanistan |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=12 September 2003 |author=Scott Baldauf|work=The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/10inter.htm |title='India is Pak's fundamental concern' |access-date=8 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705225447/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/oct/10inter.htm| archive-date=5 July 2008  |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/sam117.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-date=10 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710083737/http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/sam117.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[President of Pakistan]], [[Pervez Musharraf]], had accused Afghan President Hamid Karzai of "favouring" India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7492982.stm |title=India: Afghanistan's influential ally |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=7 July 2008 |author=Soutik Biswas |work=BBC News}}</ref> Islamabad had also reportedly accused Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad of providing support to insurgents in Pakistan's troubled [[Balochistan]] region,<ref name=" India – Afghanistan's influential ally">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7492982.stm|title=India – Afghanistan's influential ally|last=Biswas |first=Soutik |date=7 July 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> a claim repeated by Urdu newspapers to conservative and hardline Islamic constituents in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Coupled with Pakistan's old and documented animosity towards India, analysts claim Pakistan had strong motives to target Indian nationals and their economic projects in Afghanistan.<ref name="Why the Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked">{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/07raman.htm|title=Why the Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked|first=B. |last=Raman|date=7 July 2008|publisher=in.rediff.com|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

The statement by Afghan President Hamid Karzai noted that "enemies of Afghan–India ties were behind attack" without clearly specifying which enemies.<ref name="'Enemies' of Afghan-India ties behind attack: Karzai">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Foes_of_Afghan-Indo_ties_behind_attack/articleshow/3206518.cms|title='Enemies' of Afghan-India ties behind attack: Karzai|date=7 July 2008|agency=IST, Agencies|work=India Times|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref> On 7 July 2008, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry claimed that the attack was carried in collaboration with "a regional intelligence service"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSISL154807 |title=Afghans say foreign agents behind embassy attack |work=Reuters |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=7 July 2008}}</ref> and added that the bombers received training in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stv.tv/articles/reuters/world/Afghanistan_says_embassy_bombers_trained_in_Pakistan_125456|title=Afghanistan says embassy bombers trained in Pakistan|access-date=10 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804002338/http://www.stv.tv/articles/reuters/world/Afghanistan_says_embassy_bombers_trained_in_Pakistan_125456|archive-date=4 August 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Afghanistan has in the past blamed its neighbour Pakistan and its intelligence service ISI for various terror incidents on its soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/afghanistan-blames-pakistan-for-attempt-to-kill-karzai-1.304585 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116041526/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080625/NATO_helmand_08025 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2009 |publisher=CTV.ca |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=25 June 2008|title=Afghanistan blames Pakistan for attempt to kill Karzai}}</ref>

Denying its involvement in the attacks, a Taliban spokesman said in a statement, "they (India) send secret military experts to Afghanistan and they train the Afghan army. Had we carried out the attack, we would have claimed responsibility for it with pride since we have good reasons for it." The spokesman also implicated Pakistan instead and further stated that the attack had its roots in the regional India–Pakistan rivalry.<ref name="Taliban deny Indian embassy blast, blame regional rivalry ">{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080708-147195/Taliban-deny-Indian-embassy-blast-blame-regional-rivalry|title=Taliban deny Indian embassy blast, blame regional rivalry|date=7 August 2008|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=newsinfo.inquirer.net|access-date=8 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804170523/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080708-147195/Taliban-deny-Indian-embassy-blast-blame-regional-rivalry|archive-date=4 August 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 8 July, Afghanistan stated that it had no doubts that the attack was carried out in collaboration with "foreign intelligence agencies", again an implicit reference to Pakistan's ISI.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JG09Df02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830080917/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JG09Df02.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=30 August 2008 |title=Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan |access-date=10 July 2008}}</ref> Pakistani prime minister [[Yusuf Raza Gilani|Yusaf Raza Gilani]] denied any involvement of ISI in the attack and also remarked that his country had no interest in destabilising Afghanistan.<ref name="Pakistan denies involvement in Kabul embassy blast">{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5grEnnk3HvrDUwzFcMLoAW8iUOR0gD91PJ1980|title=Pakistan denies involvement in Kabul embassy blast|last=SHAH|first=AMIR |date=7 August 2008|access-date=8 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711052437/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5grEnnk3HvrDUwzFcMLoAW8iUOR0gD91PJ1980 |archive-date=11 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequently, there have been reports of Afghan officials blaming Pakistan directly and explicitly for the attack on the Indian embassy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.argentinanews.net/story/379630 |title=Afghanistan blames Pakistan for embassy bombing |access-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803021246/http://www.argentinanews.net/story/379630 |archive-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c122796c-4c88-11dd-96bb-000077b07658 |title=Kabul blames spy agency for suicide blast at India embassy |access-date=30 November 2014 |date=8 July 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718173845/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c122796c-4c88-11dd-96bb-000077b07658.html| archive-date=18 July 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Is-ISI-behind-Kabul-embassy-blast/articleshow/3207662.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115304/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-07/india/27920448_1_indian-embassy-defence-attache-ajai-pathania |url-status=live |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Is ISI behind Kabul embassy blast?-India |access-date=10 July 2008 |location=India |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 July 2008}}</ref> Indian security analysts at the Institute of Conflict Management have claimed that "the ISI-backed Taliban will not allow any Indian consolidation in Afghanistan, nor will they allow any stability in Kabul."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-Taliban-want-India-out-of-Afghanistan/articleshow/3208579.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115357/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-08/india/27916557_1_afghanistan-pakistan-and-taliban-karzai |url-status=live |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Pak, Taliban want India out of Afghanistan-India |access-date=8 July 2008 |location=India |first1=Indrani |last1=Bagchi |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

===Denials by Pakistan===
Immediately after the report in ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="nyt" /> Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq described it as "total rubbish" and said there was no evidence of ISI involvement. "The foreign newspapers keep writing such things against ISI, and we reject these allegations."<ref name="The Guardian" /> On 15 October, in an India-Pakistan bilateral meeting to address [[cross-border terrorism]] and ceasefire violations, Islamabad denied any role of the ISI in the 7 July bombings. Pakistan's [[National Security Advisor (Pakistan)|National Security Advisor]] [[Mahmud Ali Durrani]] denied involvement when asked to comment on reports alleging that ISI masterminded the Kabul blasts. It was also clarified that the Kabul bombings will be discussed in detail at the meeting of the joint anti-terror mechanism later the same month.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-10-15 |title=Pak denies ISI role in Kabul blast |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/pakistan/Pak-denies-ISI-role-in-Kabul-blast/Article1-344788.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605223748/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/pakistan/Pak-denies-ISI-role-in-Kabul-blast/Article1-344788.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-05}}</ref>

On 23 October, it was reported that India had shared sensitive information with Pakistan that pointed towards the ISI's alleged complicity in the embassy bombing as both countries ended a special meeting of their joint-terror mechanism on a "positive" note.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810241925.htm |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |title=India shares evidence with Pak. on ISI 'link' to Kabul attack |date=24 October 2008 |access-date=25 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818123638/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810241925.htm |archive-date=18 August 2011 }}</ref>

==Further threats to Indian nationals==
A bomb was found on a bus transporting 12 Indian road construction workers of [[Border Roads Organization]] to Afghanistan on 8 July 2008 in [[Zaranj]], [[Nimruz]], a day after the attack on Indian embassy in Kabul. The engineers and workers on board reported having noticed a "suspicious package" after boarding the bus on the day, but it was only after further investigation that it was revealed that a remote-operated bomb had been placed on board. Provincial governor Ghulam Dastgir Azad placed the blame for the attempted bombing of the workers on Taliban militants, who have been responsible for more than a dozen worker deaths in the area over the last few years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Bomb_found_on_Afghan_bus_carrying_Indians/articleshow/3213725.cms |title=Bomb found on Afghan bus carrying Indians |work=The Times of India |location=India |access-date=3 August 2008 |date=9 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112225959/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Bomb_found_on_Afghan_bus_carrying_Indians/articleshow/3213725.cms |archive-date=12 January 2009}}</ref>

==Calls for Indian military intervention==
After this attack, some defence analysts called for India to increase its military presence in Afghanistan not only to protect Indian projects and nationals there, but also to aid the coalition forces to improve the overall security situation in the war-torn country. Gurmeet Kanwal, head of the Center for Land Warfare Studies, said, "I would say the time has come to live up to our responsibility. If it involves military intervention, so be it."<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/world/asia/09india.html |title=Afghan Bombing Sends Stark Message to India |access-date=10 July 2008 |date=9 July 2008 |author=Somini Sengupta |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211012639/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/world/asia/09india.html|archive-date=11 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> C. Raja Mohan, an Indian foreign policy analyst, urged India's government to increase military presence in Afghanistan and also added "Afghanistan needs to be stabilised. Pakistan needs to be stabilised. This requires more drastic remedies."<ref name="nytimes1" /> In April 2008 Afghanistan's [[defense minister]] formally requested India's help in counter-insurgency operations during his visit to New Delhi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/india-rules-out-military-involvement-in-afghanistan_10035771.html |title=» India rules out military involvement in Afghanistan – Thaindian News |access-date=8 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829201827/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/india-rules-out-military-involvement-in-afghanistan_10035771.html |archive-date=29 August 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> India has already provided large-scale military equipment to the Afghan National Army<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=31244 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413185548/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=31244 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2007 |title=DefenseLink News Article: India Delivers 50 New Trucks to Afghan National Army |access-date=8 July 2008}}</ref> and has also given crucial intelligence inputs to the United States-led coalition forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir010315_1_n.shtml |title=India joins anti-Taliban coalition – Jane's Security News |access-date=30 November 2014 |date=15 March 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416171107/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir010315_1_n.shtml |archive-date=16 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Several members of the Afghan army have undergone anti-terrorist training in India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/india-to-train-afghan-army-in-counterinsurgency-stratfor_10037791.html |title=» India to train Afghan army in counterinsurgency: Stratfor – Thaindian News |access-date=10 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803232740/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/india-to-train-afghan-army-in-counterinsurgency-stratfor_10037791.html|archive-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in April 2007, the Indian Army also sent a delegation to set up an army training school in Afghanistan and [[Uzbekistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070009786 |title=NDTV.com: India's 'Great Game' in Afghanistan |access-date=8 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914113438/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070009786 |archive-date=14 September 2007 }}</ref> In September 2007, India held a joint military exercise with the United Kingdom to train British forces in counter-insurgency operations, particularly those in Afghanistan. India also has an operational air force command at the [[Farkhor Air Base]] in neighbouring [[Tajikistan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-34425920080708 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906154453/http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-34425920080708 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2008 |title=Kabul bomb shows dangers India faces in Afghanistan |work=Reuters |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=8 July 2008}}</ref> ''[[Indian Express]]'' said in an editorial, "after the Kabul bombing, India must come to terms with an important question that it has avoided debating so far. New Delhi cannot continue to expand its economic and diplomatic activity in Afghanistan, while avoiding a commensurate increase in its military presence there. For too long, New Delhi has deferred to Pakistani and American sensitivities about raising India's strategic profile in Afghanistan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/332675.html |title=After Kabul |date=8 July 2008 |access-date=8 July 2008|publisher=IndianExpress.com}}</ref> However, some analysts have feared that if India joins the United States-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, it would harm the [[soft power]] it has gradually built in the region as a result of the widespread popularity of [[Bollywood]] films and [[Indian soap opera|Indian television soaps]] among Afghans.<ref name="atimes1" />

==Reactions==

===India===
The primary response of Indian government at that time was strong condemnations of the incidence. [[Pranab Mukherjee]], India's External Affairs Minister, condemned the "cowardly terrorists' attack" and added that "such acts of terror will not deter us from fulfilling our commitments to the government and people of Afghanistan."<ref name=" Bomb rocks India embassy in Kabul">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7492601.stm|title=Bomb rocks India embassy in Kabul|date=7 July 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123002341/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7492601.stm |archive-date=23 November 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> India also rushed a high-level emergency team of experts to review the situation.<ref name="Rediff news">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/07kabul.htm|title=Kabul blast: 4 Indians among 41 killed|date=7 July 2008|work=rediff.com|access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710045259/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/07kabul.htm|archive-date=10 July 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] said, "the target is clearly the innocent citizens. Efforts to spread chaos and disturb peace will not be allowed to succeed at any cost. The government is determined to defeat nefarious designs of terrorist elements. The perpetrators of these heinous acts will be dealt with firmly. The security agencies are already working in this regard. All sections of society are required to remain calm and extend fullest co-operation to them."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianembassy.org/press_release/2005/Oct/34.htm |title=Prime Minister condemns serial blasts in Delhi |access-date=10 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121132342/http://indianembassy.org/press_release/2005/Oct/34.htm |archive-date=21 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Afghanistan===
Afghan Foreign Minister [[Rangeen Dadfar Spanta]] visited the embassy soon after the attack to show his support. His ministry's spokesman, Sultan Ahmad Baheen, said, "the enemies of [[Afghanistan-India relations|Afghanistan and India's relationship]] cannot hamper our relationship by conducting such attacks".<ref name="28 killed in suicide attack at India's Afghanistan embassy">{{cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/world/28-killed-in-suicide-attack-at-indias-afghanistan-embassy-20080707-3331.html|title=28 killed in suicide attack at India's Afghanistan embassy|date=7 July 2008|work=The Age|access-date=7 July 2008|location=Melbourne|first=Sardar|last=Ahmad}}</ref> He added, "India and Afghanistan have a deep relationship between each other. Such attacks of the enemy will not harm our relations."<ref name="28 killed in blast near Indian Embassy in Kabul" />

A statement released by the Afghan foreign ministry said, "the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemns today's terrorist attack on the embassy of the friendly and brother country of India".<ref name="Afghan gov't, UN condemn terrorist attack against Indian embassy in Kabul">{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506156.htm|title=Afghan gov't, UN condemn terrorist attack against Indian embassy in Kabul|date=7 July 2008|work=chinaview.cn |publisher=news.xinhuanet.com|access-date=7 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802192200/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506156.htm|archive-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Afghan President [[Hamid Karzai]] later called [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Manmohan Singh]] and expressed his condolences.<ref name="Afghan president calls Indian PM to express condolences">{{cite news|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2297095.htm?tab=latest|title=Afghan president calls Indian PM to express condolences|date=7 July 2008|publisher=radioaustralia.net.au|access-date=7 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804063808/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2297095.htm?tab=latest |archive-date=4 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 14 July Karzai declared whom he believed to be the foreign state behind the attack, stating, "Now this has become clear. And we have told the government of Pakistan that the killings of people in Afghanistan, the destruction of bridges in Afghanistan ... are carried out by Pakistan's intelligence and Pakistan's military departments."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-34507520080714 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710040028/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-34507520080714 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |work=Reuters |title=Karzai says Pakistan behind Indian embassy bomb |date=14 July 2008|access-date=14 July 2008 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref>

===Pakistan===
In a statement, Foreign Minister [[Shah Mehmood Qureshi]] condemned the bombing at the Indian embassy in Kabul, stating that "Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as this menace negates the very essence of human values". A spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry also dismissed claims of Pakistan's involvement in the attack as "total rubbish".<ref name="The Guardian" />

===International===
On behalf of states around the world, their respective representatives commented on both the attack and the resulting casualties:
* {{Flagu|Armenia}} – The Armenian Foreign Ministry said, "with deep indignation we learned about the terrorist act near the Indian embassy in Kabul which took lives of tens of peaceful people. Among the innocent victims are our partners working in the Indian embassy."<ref>[http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2008/07/08/agn/ Foreign Ministry Condemns Kabul Events]</ref>
*{{flagu|Australia}} – Foreign Minister [[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]] said the Australian government "condemns the car bomb attack ... and extends its deep sympathies to the Afghan government and people and to the Indian government and people." He went on to add "This attack further demonstrates their determination to kill, maim and intimidate the Afghan people and to undermine international efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/08/content_8512041.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021061219/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/08/content_8512041.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Australia condemns Indian embassy attack in Kabul English Xinhua |access-date=10 July 2008}}</ref>
* {{Flagu|Bulgaria}} – Bulgarian President [[Georgi Parvanov]] said, "Bulgaria categorically condemns this cruel act of terrorism." He went on to say that he hoped the attack "will not dissuade India from actively supporting the reconstruction of Afghanistan, a process in which Bulgaria is also closely involved."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n145396 |title=FOCUS Information Agency |access-date=10 July 2008 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213211139/http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n145396 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{Flagu|Canada}} – David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, condemned the attack, saying, "Previous attacks have not broken the will of Afghans or of the international community. We are heartened by India’s determined response to continue meeting its substantial commitment to Afghanistan."
* {{Flagu|Nepal}} – Foreign Affairs Ministry said, "the Nepal Government strongly condemns the heinous act of terrorism."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=3029&cat_id=4 |title=Gorkhapatra |access-date=10 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527210355/http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=3029&cat_id=4 |archive-date=27 May 2011 }}</ref>
* {{Flagu|China}} – Before the [[34th G8 summit|2008 G8 summit]], Chinese [[Paramount Leader|Premier]] [[Hu Jintao]] told Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, "We strongly denounce the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy. I sincerely express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the bombing in Afghanistan."<ref name="PM seeks Chinese support on N-deal: Reports">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-seeks-chinese-support-on-ndeal-reports/68495-3-1.html|title=PM seeks Chinese support on N-deal: Reports|date=7 August 2008|publisher=ibnlive.com|access-date=8 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804153337/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-seeks-chinese-support-on-ndeal-reports/68495-3-1.html|archive-date=4 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flagu|Russia}} – Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said, "Our hearts go out to the victims' families and relatives, and we express our support to those injured in this inhuman act. We grieve over the death of our colleagues, Indian diplomats. We resolutely condemn the terrorists' savage attacks and we are convinced that they will be given a worthy rebuff."
* {{Flagu|Singapore}} – The Foreign Ministry said, "we condemn this act of terror and pledge our full support to India in your fight against this scourge."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/singapore-condemns-attack-on-indian-embassy-in-kabul_10069710.html |title=» Singapore condemns attack on Indian embassy in Kabul – Thaindian News |access-date=9 July 2008 |archive-date=1 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801152304/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/singapore-condemns-attack-on-indian-embassy-in-kabul_10069710.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{Flagu|United Kingdom}} – British foreign secretary [[David Miliband]] said he "was appalled to hear the news". Adding that these were "cowardly actions carried out by those with no regard for human life" and that such acts "are designed to undermine the efforts of democratic governments and the international community to bring peace and stability to the region".<ref name="UK, EU condemn attack on Indian embassy">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/UK-EU-condemn-attack-on-Indian-embassy/articleshow/3208024.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115252/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-07/uk/27942364_1_indian-embassy-taliban-militants-efforts-of-democratic-governments|url-status=live|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=UK, EU condemn attack on Indian embassy|last=Roshan |first=Rashmee|date=7 July 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=7 July 2008}}</ref>
* {{Flagu|United States of America}} – [[US State Department]] spokesman [[Sean McCormack]] described the bombing as "terrible news" and said, "we have offered any assistance, not only to Afghan but also to Indian authorities, in terms of follow-up, determining who's responsible for these attacks." [[White House]] spokesman [[Gordon Johndroe]] said in a statement, "the US stands with the people of Afghanistan as well as India, as we face this common enemy."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/US_lawmaker_condemns_attack_on_Indian_embassy_in_Kabul/articleshow/3209227.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110518123649/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/US_lawmaker_condemns_attack_on_Indian_embassy_in_Kabul/articleshow/3209227.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 May 2011 |title=US lawmaker condemns attack on Indian embassy in Kabul- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times |access-date=10 July 2008 |work=The Times of India |location=India |date=8 July 2008}}</ref>
* {{Flagu|Vietnam}} – Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung said, "Vietnam strongly condemns the brutal terrorist attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on 7 July, killing many civilians. We would like to extend our profound condolences to the victims' families."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/090708/domestic_v.htm |title=Nhan Dan – News |access-date=10 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113163229/http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/090708/domestic_v.htm |archive-date=13 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Organisations ====
* {{Flagu|European Union}} – The European Union described the bombing as a "terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians".<ref name=" Bomb rocks India embassy in Kabul" /> EU foreign policy chief [[Javier Solana]] added that "Such actions, which are clearly intended to undermine the process of stabilisation and reconstruction in Afghanistan, will achieve nothing."
* {{flagu|NATO}} – NATO Secretary General [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] said in a statement, "On behalf of NATO, I wholeheartedly condemn the bombing at the Indian Embassy. The loss of life and injuries to so many is a tragedy, and a clear attempt to undermine regional relations."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/08/content_8507052.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021061212/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/08/content_8507052.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=NATO condemns Kabul bombing_English_Xinhua |access-date=8 July 2008}}</ref>
* {{Flagu|United Nations}} – [[Kai Eide]], the special envoy of UN Secretary General to Afghanistan said, "I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. In no culture, no country, and no religion is there any excuse or justification for such acts. The total disregard for innocent lives is staggering and those behind this must be held responsible."<ref name="Afghan gov't, UN condemn terrorist attack against Indian embassy in Kabul" /> [[UN Secretary General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] also condemned the attack "in the strongest terms." The [[Security Council]] also described the attack as a "reprehensible act of terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7494655.stm |title=UN condemns India embassy attack |access-date=10 July 2008|work=BBC News |date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Afghanistan}}
* [[Foreign relations of Afghanistan]]
* [[List of massacres in Afghanistan]]

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ibnlive.com/photogallery/876.html Images from after the blast from CNN IBN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204101338/http://www.ibnlive.com/photogallery/876.html |date=4 December 2008 }}

{{Afghanistan War}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian Embassy Bombing in Kabul}}
[[Category:2008 murders in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions of India|Kabul Indian embassy]]
[[Category:Suicide car and truck bombings in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Massacres committed by the Taliban]]
[[Category:Taliban attacks in Kabul]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Afghanistan in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 mass murders]]
[[Category:Mass murders in Kabul]]
[[Category:2008 massacres in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:2008 in international relations|Indian Embassy Bombing in Kabul, 2008]]
[[Category:Afghanistan–India relations]]
[[Category:Anti-Indian sentiment in Asia]]
[[Category:July 2008 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:2008 in Kabul]]
[[Category:Building bombings in Kabul]]
[[Category:Suicide bombings in Kabul]]
[[Category:July 2008 in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:2008 building bombings]]
[[Category:Car and truck bombings in 2008]]
[[Category:Suicide bombings in 2008]]
[[Category:2000s crimes in Kabul]]