ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan has formally lodged a demarche with the Afghan Taliban regime over the alleged use of Afghan soil in a deadly terrorist attack in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office of Pakistan, the demarche was delivered on Wednesday after the Afghan deputy head of mission was summoned.
Pakistan strongly condemned the vehicle-borne suicide bombing followed by a coordinated assault on military and law enforcement posts in Bajaur. The attack was attributed to Fitna al Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Foreign Office expressed concern that the group’s leadership is based in Afghanistan and continues to operate freely from Afghan territory. It noted that despite repeated assurances from the Afghan Taliban authorities, no visible or concrete action has been taken against such elements.
Islamabad urged the Afghan Taliban to take immediate, verifiable steps against all terrorist organisations operating from their soil, including their leadership. The statement further conveyed that Pakistan reserves the right to respond and neutralise militants and their affiliates wherever necessary to safeguard its citizens, armed forces, and territorial integrity.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, during a visit to Berlin, said Pakistan would not hesitate to conduct air operations inside Afghanistan if required to counter militancy. He described the current instability as the consequence of past strategic decisions and accused the Afghan Taliban of waging a “proxy war” alongside India against Pakistan’s interests.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Bajaur attack occurred on Monday when an explosives-laden vehicle targeted a security checkpost, killing 11 personnel. Security forces retaliated promptly, killing 12 terrorists during the ensuing operation.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs.
Pakistan had previously issued a similar demarche in December following a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan, citing concerns over militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
