A bomb blast near the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad Saturday killed eight children and wounded 22.
An explosive-packed car was detonated at around 10 a.m. local time about 50 meters away from the Indian consulate.
Reports indicate that the bomb attack was meant for the consulate building but minutes before reaching the compound, the explosives went off.
Confirming the car-blast, Indian officials in New Delhi told The Times of India that "all Indians are safe and there was no major damage to the consulate."
"The situation is still very fluid," confirmed sources.
Nangarhar province police chief Gen Sharif Amin said the car bomb blast was set off near a mosque leading to the Indian consulate in the province's capital Jalalabad.
"Most of the victims were children attending religious classes at the mosque," said Gen Sharif Amin, according to the Tol .
The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday and the two vowed to work together for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
"Both sides discussed in length Afghan situation besides other regional issues including the post-2014 scenario," reported Radio Pakistan.
"We will discuss with the Pakistanis counter-terrorism, cross-border militancy, the economic agenda and how we can continue to partner in terms of promoting a secure and stable Afghanistan," said one of the delegates who was accompanying the U.S. Secretary of State.
