*New Delhi: *India strongly condemned the Kabul hotel attack saying reportsabout the assault being carried out by Haqqani Network terroristsunderlines the need to effectively deal with the issue of safe havens toterrorists in “our shared neighbourhood”.

An assault on the Intercontinental Hotel in the Afghan capital killed atleast 22 people, including 14 foreigners, and pinned security forces downfor more than 13 hours before the last attacker was killed on Sunday.

India strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Intercontinental Hotelin Kabul, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday.

“We express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in thisheinous attack and wish speedy recovery to the injured,” the ministry saidin a statement.

The reports about the attack having being carried out by terrorists of theinternationally proscribed Haqqani Network are a matter of serious concernand bring to fore once again the need to effectively deal with “safe havensand sanctuaries that these terrorists find in our shared neighbourhood”,the statement said.

The ministry also commended the professionalism and bravery of the AfghanNational Defence and Security Forces in saving the lives of hundreds ofcivilians from this gruesome attack.

“India stands in solidarity with the Government and the people ofAfghanistan in bringing the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks andtheir supporters to justice,” the statement said.