Cabinet Secretary holds meeting

New Delhi: A high-level meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi, on Saturday reviewed the situation arising out of the abduction of an Indian engineer in Afghanistan.

The Taliban militia have threatened to kill K Suryanarayan in 24 hours if all Indians do not leave the country.

India condemned the abduction, saying it was an attempt by the Taliban and "other hostile elements" to intimidate Indian and other international and Afghan workers engaged in the reconsruction of Afghanistan and improving the lives of its people.

"The Cabinet Secretary took the meeting of senior officials to review the situation," said the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Among those present at the meeting were officials of the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs.

The government instructed the Indian Embassy in Kabul to keep in close and constant touch with local authorities and the companies concerned, the statement said.

The Embassy has also been instructed to reiterate security instructions to all Indians working in Afghanistan and to request the companies employing them to reinforce their security, the statement said.

Suryanarayan was kidnapped while he was travelling towards Qalat, capital of Zabul province, last evening.

The External Affairs Ministry said Suryanarayan's family has been informed about the incident and told them that the efforts are being made by the government to secure his release.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said Regional Passport Officer in Hyderabad B B Bhaskar met Suryanarayan's family this afternoon and conveyed the government's sympathy and support in the wake of the "unfortunate" incident.