Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran confirmed that K Suryanarayana, an Indian engineer, who had been kidnapped by the Taliban on Friday evening has been killed. At a hurriedly-called press conference in New Delhi, Saran said that all arrangements are being made to bring home the body of the Suryanarayana, who was worked with a Bahrain-based company.

"Based on the statements made by the Taliban and reports that are with us that one dead body has been found, it appears that K Surayananarana, an Indian engineer working with a Bahrain company on a telecommunication project, has unfortunately been killed," he said.

The government of India has been shocked by this 'dastardly act of terror' by the Taliban and its supporters, which has led to the tragic and untimely death of an innocent Indian, who like many of his compatriots has been making a contribution towards reconstruction of Afganistan with dedication and deligence, Saran added.

"The government of India sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. We stand by the members of the family in their hour of profound sorrow and our support is with them to ease their pain and suffering," the foreign secretary said.

He emphasised that every effort would be made to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.

Saran regretted that the Taliban did not allow the government of India time enough to negotiate. "K Suryananana was killed even before an expert on hostage crisis negotiations could land in Kabul," he said. "It seems they were not interested in negotiation."

He requested other nations to come together in condemning the Taliban and their actions.