Pakistan has summoned the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver a strong demarche following a deadly vehicle-borne IED attack in the Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The attack, which took place on the 9th of this month, targeted the Fateh Khel Police Post. The incident resulted in the martyrdom of 15 police constables and left four others injured, including one civilian. The Ministry has attributed the attack to terrorists of Fitna-al-Khawarij.
According to the Ministry, a detailed investigation—supported by collected evidence and technical intelligence—indicates that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan.
Security Concerns and International Documentation
The Pakistani government reiterated its grave concern regarding the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan. The Ministry highlighted that the presence of various terrorist organizations on Afghan soil, as well as a permissive environment that enables their operations, has been well documented in reports from other international organizations and the UN Monitoring Team.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban regime to take concrete and verifiable action against elements operating from Afghan soil, specifically naming:
- Fitna-al-Khawarij
- Fitna-al-Hindustan
- ISKP/Daesh
Diplomatic Failures and National Security Warnings
The Ministry noted that while Pakistan has constructively engaged with the Afghan Taliban regime through several rounds of talks mediated by friendly and brotherly countries, the regime has consistently failed to commit to or deliver meaningful and verifiable action against these terrorist outfits.
The Afghan Taliban regime has been categorically informed that Pakistan will not compromise on the safety and protection of its citizens or its national security if it continues to harbour these organizations. In response to the “barbaric act” at the Fateh Khel Police Post, Pakistan stated it reserves the right to respond decisively against the perpetrators.
Potential Implications
The current diplomatic friction suggests that Pakistan may take further decisive steps if the Afghan Taliban regime fails to honor its commitment to prevent its territory from being used for terrorism. Future stability in the region could depend on whether the Afghan side implements the verifiable actions requested by Pakistan, as a failure to do so is likely to maintain a state of high tension between the two nations.
