Reason: The security situation in Afghanistan is assessed to be the worst ever since the Taliban’s ouster in 2001. UN official reports state that Taliban is now effective in 36 of the 376 districts which the Afghan Government cannot access. The average number of incidents per month increased to 566 in 2007 compared to 425 in 2006.

Over the last two months, alarm bells have been ringing across world capitals about the Taliban resurgence, especially in provinces around Kabul like Logar and Wardak. The last report with the UN Security Council in July admits that the “highest number of security incidents since the overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001 was in May 2008”. It is learnt that the numbers have grown to around 800 in July-August.

According to assessments shared with India, violence is up by 40 per cent across Afghanistan and by 70 per cent in its southern and eastern parts. Provinces such as Kandahar and Nimroz that were in the “high-risk” security category have now been moved into a new category called “extreme risk/hostile environment.”

A worried United States is holding frantic consultations with regional partners, including India. The security situation in Afghanistan figures high on the agenda of Defence Minister A K Antony’s visit to US next week. He will be holding meetings with US counterpart Robert Gates, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

While Washington is still not in favour of involving India directly in security matters owing to Pakistan’s sensitivities, it has not been averse to New Delhi playing a larger background role. During the recent visit of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to India, both countries had a serious conversation on expanding security cooperation.

Indian agencies have reported that a large number of Arab and Chechen militant groups have also established themselves in Afghanistan and along the Pak-Afghan border. From the Indian standpoint, its mission and consulates are under the highest threat since they were set up. After the attack on the mission in Kabul, ITBP forces are being placed at all Indian assets in Afghanistan.