Indian consulate in city still open, says Kandahar governor's spokesman

Even as India has withdrawn its diplomats from its consulate in Kandahar, the local government has said that the consulate remains open.

Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Bahir Ahmadi, spokesman of the Kandahar governor said, "Indian consulate is still open.Itisfunctioningnormally".

India has withdrawn its diplomats as the violence increases, withthe Taliban makingattempts to gain more territories in the country.

Sidhant Sibal: What is the situationatthe Indian consulate?

Bahir Ahmadi: I can assure you that the place where the Indian consulate is located is safe and sound and there is no problem. But yes, forfour to fivedays, the situation was a little bit critical and fighting washappeningat least 3 kilometers away from the Indian consulate. Besidesthat,Pakistan and Iran consulate is also locatednearby.The governor, the chief of policeandchief of commando forceshavechecked the area.They haveensuredthat thereisno security issueatthethreeconsulates.AlthoughIndiandiplomatsat theconsulatehaveshiftedto Kabul,thelocal staffisstillpresentand the consulate is open.It is functioningnormally.Anyone can go to the consulateas there areno security issues.

Sidhant Sibal:What about the security of Pakistani and Iranianconsulates?

Bahir Ahmadi: Pakistani and Iranian diplomats are still in theirrespective consulatesbecause we assuredthem that there will not be any kind of problem. They are still continuing their operations.

Sidhant Sibal:What is thesituation in Kandahar?

Bahir Ahmadi: As you know, the Taliban attackedfivedistricts, some places in the city but can assure that the central government and the local governmentare able to control the situationwith local forcesandcentral government forces.Severalairstrikeswere also carried outbyour troops in the area. The problem is Taliban has entered local people's houses, and wecan’tcarry outair strikes orotheroperationsas itmightcauseinjuries to locals. We aretrying to safeguardlocals,therefore,our operationisgoing slowly. In the nextseven to eightdays,there will benosecurity issuein Kandahar and the people of Kandahar will be safe and sound.