Date:13/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/13/stories/2008041359070800.htm

National

Shocking and unfortunate, says Antony

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has described as “shocking and unfortunate” the killing of two Indian road engineers by Afghan militants on Saturday morning.

Mr. Antony told presspersons here that it was most unfortunate that the Indian engineers were killed when the road construction work in Afghanistan was nearing completion.

The Afghan Defence Minister, who was in India a few weeks ago, had assured India that all protection would be given to Indian engineers and workers in Afghanistan, he recalled.

Financial aid

The government, he said, would take immediate steps to bring back the bodies and to provide all help to those injured. Steps would also be taken to provide financial assistance to the next of kin of those killed.

The Defence Minister said the government would continue its rehabilitation work in Afghanistan regardless of such setbacks.

Krishnagiri Staff Reporter writes:

Govindasamy (45), one of the two Indians killed in Afghanistan, belongs to Thippanapalli village near here. His death was confirmed by his family members here.

According to reports reaching here, the incident occurred when he and another Indian were on their way to the construction site.

Govindasamy is survived by his wife Sivagami, daughters Aruna (25), Barathi (22), Prema (20) and a son Ganesh (14).