Pakistan issues 'strong demarche' to Afghan Chargé d'Affaires over Bannu attack
Photo: AFP/ File
Pakistan summoned the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires on Monday and issued a “strong demarche” over a vehicle-borne IED attack carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij on a police post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu District, which martyred 15 police constables.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the demarche conveyed that a detailed investigation into the incident, along with evidence and technical intelligence, indicated that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan.
"Reiterating Pakistan’s grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan, it was impressed upon the Afghan side that Pakistan reserves the right to respond decisively against the perpetrators of this barbaric act," the statement read.
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Demarche to Afghan Taliban Regime on Terrorist Attack on Police Post in Bannu
🔗⬇️https://t.co/kVCWZE4jTi pic.twitter.com/fDvsw6Ss7UThe statement further highlighted the continued presence of various terrorist organisations operating from Afghan soil, noting that the permissive environment enabling their operations had been well documented by reports from the UN Monitoring Team and other international organisations.
"The fight against terrorism is a common cause, and the Afghan Taliban must honour their commitment not to allow their territory to be used for terrorism against other countries," it added.
The ministry also stated that Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban regime to take concrete and verifiable action against Fitna al-Khawarij, Fitna-al-Hindustan, and ISKP/Daesh elements operating from Afghan soil.
"Pakistan has also constructively engaged with the Afghan Taliban regime through several rounds of talks mediated by friendly and brotherly countries. However, the Afghan Taliban have consistently failed to commit to, or deliver, meaningful and verifiable action against these terrorist outfits," the statement continued.
The ministry further informed that the Afghan Taliban regime had been categorically told that, "if it continues to harbour these terrorist organisations, Pakistan will not compromise on its national security or on the safety and protection of its citizens."