Attack on Indian consulate in Herat, Afghanistan

The Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat has been attacked, and the area is surrounded by security forces, the BBC reported.

Police said three gunmen opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades but one of them was killed. The other two fled into a nearby building.

It is not clear who is behind the attack and there are no details of casualties.

Later the Indian foreign ministry said all of its personnel were safe.

Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for the Indian government, confirmed the incident and praised "brave" consulate staff and Afghan security forces for repelling the attack.

"All safe. Operation underway," he tweeted.

The incident comes on the eve of the inauguration of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks in recent weeks as foreign troops begin to withdraw from the country.

Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats to take part in the first round of elections in April to replace outgoing President Karzai.

The second round, due in mid-June, pits front-runner Abdullah Abdullah against Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist.