Afghanistan issued demarche after 15 police personnel martyred in Bannu suicide attack

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Afghanistan's chargé d’affaires to lodge a strong protest, or demarche, concerning a brazen suicide attack that claimed the lives of 15 police officers in Bannu. The ministry unequivocally stated that a thorough investigation, bolstered by collected evidence and technical intelligence, points to terrorists harbored within Afghanistan as the architects of this cowardly act. This incident amplifies Pakistan's deep-seated concerns about the persistent misuse of Afghan territory for orchestrating terrorist assaults against Pakistan.

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The ministry conveyed that a detailed investigation into the incident, along with evidence collected and technical intelligence, indicates that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan.

Islamabad has consistently communicated its position to Kabul, emphasizing that the continued sanctuary provided to militant groups, including those responsible for this barbaric act, poses an unacceptable threat to Pakistan's national security. The ministry's statement serves as a stark warning: should Afghanistan persist in harboring these terrorist organizations, Pakistan will not hesitate to take decisive action to safeguard its citizens and its sovereignty. The government has also underscored that the presence of various terrorist outfits on Afghan soil is a matter of documented concern by international bodies, urging the Afghan Taliban to uphold their commitments and prevent their territory from being exploited for acts of terror against other nations.

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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.

This latest atrocity risks further inflaming tensions along the shared border, echoing previous military confrontations between the two nations. Pakistan's resolve is unwavering: the safety and security of its populace are non-negotiable, and it will not tolerate any state that offers refuge to those intent on destabilizing Pakistan. The message to the Afghan Taliban is unambiguous: they must take concrete and verifiable steps against these terrorist threats, or Pakistan will be compelled to act in its own defense to protect its people and its national interests.

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The Afghan Taliban regime has also been categorically informed 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.