Pakistan has called for “immediate, robust and effective action” from the interim Afghan government following a terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment that resulted in the deaths of eight military personnel. The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The attack, which occurred early Monday, involved ten terrorists attempting to breach Bannu Cantonment. Security forces successfully thwarted the attempt, forcing the attackers to detonate an explosive-laden vehicle against the perimeter wall of the cantonment. The military attributed the attack to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which is known to operate from Afghanistan and has previously orchestrated attacks within Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan summoned the deputy head of mission of the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivering a strong demarche. The FO press release stated that the Afghan government was urged to conduct a thorough investigation and take decisive action against those responsible for the attack. Additionally, Pakistan reiterated its concerns about the presence of terrorist groups within Afghanistan that pose ongoing threats to its security.
The FO’s statement highlighted that such terrorist activities undermine the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging the Afghan government to prevent the use of its territory for launching attacks against Pakistan.
“Pakistan calls for immediate, robust, and effective action from the interim Afghan government in response to this tragic incident,” the FO stated. The appeal underscores Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to curb terrorism and the necessity for regional cooperation in combating militant groups.