Afghan president asks army chief to take ‘serious, practical measures’ against terrorists

In a veiled reference, Afghanistan says attack on American University in Kabul was planned in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A day after gunmen stormed the American University in Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani telephoned army chief General Raheel Sharif, urging “serious and practical measures against terrorists”.

“President Ashraf Ghani spoke to General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, and asked for serious and practical measures against terrorists organising the attack," a statement said on Thursday.

Sixteen people were killed after militants stormed the university, officials said, in a nearly 10-hour raid that prompted anguished pleas for help from trapped students.

President Ghani presided over an “extraordinary session” of the National Security Council that reviewed details of the terrorist attack, the president's palace said.



"General Sharif promised Pakistan will evaluate the case and brief Afghanistan on the taken measures,” the statement said, adding, “evidence and findings... show it was organised and orchestrated from the other side of the Durand Line.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan condemns attack

Meanwhile, Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack.



“We extend our profound condolences with the government and the people of Afghanistan and the families of those who lost their loved ones in this brutal terrorist attack. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” the foreign ministry said. "Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations."

According to the ISPR, General Raheel strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

The army chief assured Pakistani soil would not be allowed to be used for any type of terrorism in Afghanistan.

Combing operations

Meanwhile, the ISPR said Afghan authorities shared three mobile numbers allegedly used by the militants during the attack.



Pakistan Army carried out a combing operation in the suspected area closer to Pak-Afghan border based on three mobile numbers provided by Afghanistan.

The statement said all Afghan SIMs used during the attack were from a network owned and operated by an Afghan company, whose spillover signal affected some areas along the border.

"The outcome of the operation was shared with Afghan authorities, while technical evaluation of the mobile numbers is under way."