Afghan security forces have battled a group of gunmen near the Indian consulate in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif as gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades rocked the area.
It comes as a battle for an Indian airbase near the border of Pakistan has reportedly ended after its second night, but with confusion over whether all the attackers have been killed.
Rachael Hocking reports.
As gunfire rocks the Indian consulate in Afghanistan, it remains unclear whether two gunmen or more have still eluded capture in the north-west of India's Punjab state.
On Saturday, gunmen disguised as soldiers attacked the Pathankot airbase, near the Pakistani border.
At least seven Indian soldiers were killed and another 20 wounded.
But the sound of fresh gunfire more than a day later has sparked a renewed manhunt on the airbase for militants previously believed to have been killed.
At least four attackers are dead, but Indian Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi says not all the militants can be confirmed dead until the bodies are recovered from the latest shootout on Sunday.
"They were discovered by about 12:20, where they were hiding. There were at least two more. They have been engaged since 12:20, and the operation is going on. They are limited to an area, and we are very hopeful that by this evening these two terrorists will also be neutralised."
The attack comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in an effort to revive talks between the neighbours.
Speaking after the initial shootout on Saturday, Mr Modi praised the armed forces for not letting the attackers succeed in destroying the base.
Family members of those killed in the attack say, although it is a huge loss for them, they are proud of their loved ones.
The sister of slain Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan talked of the mixed emotions.
"So, on one hand, I've lost him, but, on the other hand, I know he has made us feel proud. But then, whatever it is, our loss is a great loss, because I feel these people, every year they're losing their lives. I mean, you go to defuse a bomb, and you don't know what's going to happen. I mean, what risk they are taking."
The father of another victim, Garud commando Gursevak Singh, says he was shocked when confronted with the news his son had died.
(Translated)"So many soldiers of our country from army and air force are losing their lives every day. I am sad, but my son lost his life for his country."
Officials say the attack bears the hallmarks of previous suspected assaults by Pakistan-based militant groups.
But no group has claimed responsibility so far.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, police say heavily armed insurgents hid in a house near the Indian consulate and attacked it in the night.
They say the attackers tried to enter the consulate but could not, then shut themselves into a house across the street.
Explosions and gunfire then erupted just metres from the consulate.
The attack took place shortly after India beat Afghanistan in the final of a regional football championship.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility nor word on casualties and damage.
Share
