Kabul bomb drives home the message

New Delhi, India: The bombing of its embassy in Kabul highlights the dangers facing India as it seeks to enhance its say in Afghanistan, whether from a resurgent Taliban or a Pakistan worried about ceding strategic space to its arch rival. Monday's suicide car bomb that killed 41 people, including an Indian defence attache and a diplomat, was blamed by Afghan authorities on a regional intelligence service, a likely reference to Pakistan. Both Pakistan and the Taliban have denied a hand in the attack that analysts say not only challenges the effectiveness of international security operations in Afghanistan, but carries a more specific message for India. "The gloves are off. The attack is telling India to get out or scale down its activities in Afghanistan," said Ashok Mehta, a retired army commander and defence expert. "It... [read full story]