Pakistan summoned the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lodged a strong protest over the deadly suicide attack on the Fatehkhel Police Post in Bannu.
The May 9 attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district left 15 police constables martyred and four others injured, including a civilian.
The Foreign Office handed over a strong demarche to the Afghan side over the vehicle-borne IED attack. Pakistan condemned the attack, which it said was carried out by terrorists of Fitna-al-Khawarij.
The Foreign Office said the incident was cowardly and barbaric.
Investigation points to Afghanistan-based terrorists
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a detailed investigation was conducted after the attack.
Officials said evidence collected during the probe, along with technical intelligence, indicates that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan.
Pakistan conveyed serious concerns over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
The Foreign Office said Afghan soil being used for terrorism against Pakistan is unacceptable. Pakistan told the Afghan side that it reserves the right to respond decisively against those responsible for the attack.
The ministry said Pakistan will not compromise on national security or the safety and protection of its citizens.
Terror groups’ presence highlighted
Pakistan also raised concerns over the continued presence of various terrorist organizations on Afghan soil.
The Foreign Office said the permissive environment enabling these groups’ operations has been documented in reports by the UN Monitoring Team and other international organizations.
It stressed that the fight against terrorism is a common cause.
Pakistan urged the Afghan Taliban to honour their commitment not to allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorism against other countries.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan has repeatedly asked the Afghan Taliban regime to take concrete and verifiable action against Fitna-al-Khawarij, Fitna-al-Hindustan and ISKP/Daesh elements operating from Afghanistan.
Talks failed to deliver results
Pakistan said it had constructively engaged with the Afghan Taliban through several rounds of talks mediated by brotherly and friendly countries.
However, the Foreign Office said the Afghan Taliban had consistently failed to commit to or deliver meaningful and verifiable action against terrorist outfits.
The Afghan Taliban regime has been categorically informed that continued harbouring of these groups will not be tolerated.
