Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has summoned the Afghan Taliban’s chargé d’affaires in Islamabad and delivered a strong demarche over the recent suicide attack in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed 15 police personnel.
According to the Foreign Office, the May 9 attack on the Fateh Khel Police Post involved a vehicle-borne explosive device that also injured several others, including a civilian. Pakistan said intelligence-based investigations indicated that the assault was planned by militants operating from inside Afghanistan.
During the meeting, Islamabad conveyed its serious concerns over continued use of Afghan territory for cross-border terrorism against Pakistan. It stressed that the Afghan authorities had not taken meaningful or verifiable action against these groups.
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The Foreign Office warned that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to those responsible if such attacks continue. It also referred to repeated diplomatic engagements with Kabul, including talks facilitated by friendly countries, but said these efforts had not produced concrete results.
Pakistan highlighted the presence of groups such as TTP and ISKP, stating that their safe havens in Afghanistan remain a major security threat. It added that international monitoring reports have also pointed to the presence of such organisations in the region.
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The Bannu attack is one of the deadliest recent incidents targeting security forces, and it has further strained already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistani officials reiterated that national security and civilian safety will not be compromised.
