Police officers stand guard at the main entrance gate of the Ministry of External Affairs in Islamabad. Photo: Archive
Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the deputy head of the Afghan mission for a strong response to the February 16 attack in Bajaur that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers.
The assault involved a suicide car bomb followed by a shooting attack on a post of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Authorities attributed the attack to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which Pakistani officials refer to as Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK).
Pakistan condemned the attack in the strongest terms and said such incidents have serious implications for regional security.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern over the continued operations of the TTP, whose leaders he claims reside in Afghanistan and operate with impunity from Afghan soil.
The ministry said Pakistan has received multiple assurances from the Afghan Taliban, but that “no significant or tangible steps have been taken” to curb these activities.
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Islamabad told the Afghan interim government that it must take “immediate, concrete and verifiable measures” against all terrorist groups operating from its territory, including their leaders. He also warned that Pakistan reserves the right to act against elements linked to the FAK and its facilitators “wherever they are” to ensure the safety of its soldiers, civilians and territorial integrity.
The Bajaur incident has further strained ties between the two countries, with Pakistan emphasizing that Afghan authorities must take responsibility for groups operating from its soil.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan would not hesitate to carry out more airstrikes in Afghanistan if Kabul did not take action against terrorists on its soil to ensure peace.
The federal government has been constantly raising its voice in international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks against Pakistan, a fact witnessed by the United Nations Security Council.
