Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 27 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil here on Saturday paid homage to the Indians who died in the Kabul suicide attack.

The special Air Force flight, which had left for Kabul this morning, returned to Palam Air Force Station carrying the Indian nationals, who had fallen victim to the heinous terrorist attack in Kabul on Friday.

President Patil, who was returning from Pune, went near the special aircraft and placed wreath on the mortal remains of the deceased.

A solemn military ceremony marked the supreme sacrifice of those who laid down their lives in the line of duty

She also spoke to victims’ relatives and expressed her condolences.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar along with other senior Government Officials were present at the Air Force Station.

On behalf of the Government, Rao and Kumar offered tributes by laying wreaths on.

On behalf of the Government of Afghanistan, the Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Afghanistan in India Shahabuddin Saqid laid a wreath to pay homage.

Rao extended her condolences to the families of those martyred in Friday’s attack and said that these Indian nationals had made the supreme sacrifice serving the cause of the nation and India-Afghanistan friendship.

She wished the injured speedy recovery and paid glowing tributes to the indomitable spirit of all the Indians engaged in assisting the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and promoting the progress and well-being of the Afghan people.

India, together with the community of civilized nations, would never be cowed down by the evil forces of terrorism, Rao said.

The details of the Indians killed in the Kabul attack.

Major (Dr.) L. Jyotin Singh (AMC), was a member of the Indian Medical Mission (IMM) in Kabul and was working at the Indira Gandhi Institute for Child Health;

Major Deepak Yadav of Army Education Corps (AEC), was an English teacher at the Afghan Military Academy;

Nitish Chhibber, Assistant at Consulate General of India in Kandahar;

Roshan Lal, Constable of the Indian Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), was a Security Guard at the Consulate General of India in Herat;

Bhola Ram, Deputy General Manager, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (instrumental in setting up Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line and Chimtala sub-station, which brought electricity to Kabul)

Nawab Khan, Tabla player (was a member of an Indian Council of Cultural relations-sponsored cultural troupe visiting Afghanistan). (ANI)