NEW DELHI: India on Thursday condemned a terrorist attack in Afghanistan‘s Kandahar Province in which at least 43 soldiers were killed and another nine injured after an attacker detonated explosives in a vehicle at the military base in Maiwand district.

“We strongly condemn the barbaric attack today at the Afghan National Army base in Kandahar province. Coming on the heels of similar tragedies in Paktia and Ghazni, we share the grief of the families of the victims and the suffering of the Afghan people,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a statement today.

Extending support to the Afghanistan governmnet, MEA said,”India expresses solidarity with the people and the government of Afghanistan in these difficult times.”

The Ministry also said that India is gravely concerned at the recent escalation of terrorist violence against Afghanistan, despite hopes recently kindled by new strategies as well as efforts for bringing peace in the country.

“The Terror Attacks demonstrate that safe havens and support systems continue to be available to the terrorists,” the statement said.