Washington DC:
US Special Envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has said that his comments on Kabul attack were misunderstood.
"I regret any misunderstanding caused by my comments on the recent terrorist attack in Kabul, which claimed the lives of 7 Indians and at least ten citizens of other nations," he said.
Holbrooke added: "I did not say Indians were not targeted. Initially, it looked like target wasn't an Indian facility. 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. 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."
My heart goes out to the families of all of the victims, he said. (
Read full statement)
Holbrooke's comments come days after he had said that he does not agree that the recent terror strike in Kabul specifically targeted Indians, a view that took India by surprise.
Holbrooke had also cautioned against jumping to conclusions notwithstanding the statement of even Afghan President Hamid Karzai soon after the February 26 terror strike on a Kabul hotel that it was an attack on Indians.
"In regard to this attack, I don't accept the fact that this was an attack on an Indian facility like the (Indian) embassy. They were foreigners, non-Indian foreigners hurt. It was a soft target. Let's not jump to conclusions," Holbrooke had told reporters in Washington responding to questions on the attack in which six Indians were among the 16 persons killed.
(With PTI inputs)