India condemns attack on US mission in Benghazi

India today strongly condemned the attack on the US consulate in Libya's Benghazi city that killed the US Ambassador to the country and three others.

Foreign Secretary Shri Ranjan Mathai spoke to Nancy Powell, the US Ambassador in Delhi, and conveyed India's condolences at the tragic loss of life.

"We are deeply shocked at the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. India strongly condemns the violent acts which unfortunately resulted in the death of the US Ambassador to Libya and other officials," an External Affairs ministry statement said here.

US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed today as a mob armed with guns and rockets stormed the American consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, angry over a film deemed offensive to Islam.

Security at US embassy in Delhi and four of its consulates across India is being tightened following incidents in Libya and neighbouring Egypt.

"We have directed beef up of security at all US missions in the country," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters.

Apart from its embassy in New Delhi, the United States has four consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad.