Bodies of Indians killed in Kabul blast flown in

New Delhi: Bodies of the four Indians killed in the suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul were flown into the capital late Monday night in special Indian Airforce plane. Family members of the victims accompanied the bodies. Defence Attache Brigadier R D Mehta, Counsellor Venkateswara Rao, two ITBP personnel Ajai Pathania and Roop Singh were among 41 killed when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive laden vehicle into the Indian embassy premises.

Rao's body was flung over the roof by the impact of the explosion that blew off the embassy's gates and outer structure and damaged buildings inside the compound.

Afghan Interior ministry spokesman Abdul H Ashiq said the bomb was placed in a Toyota Corolla car driven by the suicide bomber who blew him up in front of the embassy gate.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is in Japan to attend the G-8 summit, condemned the attack and said he was horrified to know of the death of Indians in the attack.

The Prime Minister offered his deep condolences to the next of kin of the victims and those who have suffered grievous injuries.

"India is with the families of those bereaved today. We will do all that we can to help them bear their loss and grief. This is our pledge," Singh said.

It is the first major attack on an Indian mission abroad and the deadliest suicide bombing in Kabul since US-led NATO forces ousted the Taliban in late 2001.