ISLAMABAD: Confirming the involvement of Afghan nationals in the recent terrorist attack in Zhob, Balochistan, Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Wednesday expressed its serious reservations and condemnation regarding the usage of Afghan soil against Pakistan.
At least twelve troops were martyred by militants in an early morning attack on the Zhob Garrison and another attack in the Sui district on 12 July, military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said.
ISPR said that 9 soldiers embraced martyrdom, as they thwarted a terrorist attack on the Zhob Garrison. Later, 3 more personnel sacrificed their lives in another attack in the Sui district.
According to FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the 3 identified terrorists hailed the Afghan city of Kandahar. The Foreign Office has also issued directives to the embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad to receive the bodies of the terrorists involved in the attack.
It also expressed serious reservations and condemned the continuous involvement of Afghan terrorists inside Pakistan.
Pressure on Afghan Interim Administration
Pakistan has stepped up pressure on the Afghan interim administration to tackle the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) threat, as defense minister Khwaja Asif and army chief General Syed Asim Munir issued stern warnings to Kabul.
There has been an uptick in terrorist attacks in the country. A series of attacks in Balochistan province prompted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir to remind the Afghan Taliban of the promises they made to the world community not to allow their soil to be used against other states.
Defense Minister Asif also criticized Afghanistan, saying that it was not fulfilling the duties of a responsible neighbour. He lamented that while Islamabad hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, the Afghan Taliban were providing refuge to those who were spilling their blood in Pakistan.
After strong criticism, the Afghan Taliban rejected Islamabad’s claims and said the TTP was not operating out of Afghanistan.
