Pakistan issues demarche to Afghan Taliban over Bannu attack

Pakistan on Monday summoned the Afghan chargé d’affaires and lodged a strong protest with the Afghan Taliban administration over a deadly terrorist attack on a police post in the country’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Foreign Office said.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the protest followed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack on the Fateh Khel Police Post in Bannu district on May 9, which killed 15 police personnel and injured four others, including a civilian.

The ministry said investigations, backed by technical intelligence and evidence gathered so far, suggested that the attack was planned by militants operating from inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan conveyed its serious concerns over the continued use of Afghan territory by militant groups for attacks against Pakistan, and urged the Afghan Taliban administration to take immediate and verifiable action against those involved, the statement said.

READ MORE: PM Shehbaz condemns Bannu police post attack, vows full support

The Foreign Office added that Pakistan reminded the Afghan side of its commitment not to allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorism against other countries.

It also said reports by the United Nations monitoring team and other international organizations had highlighted the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan and an environment enabling their activities.

Pakistan further urged Afghan authorities to act against members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP/Daesh), and other militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory.

The statement noted that Pakistan had held several rounds of talks with the Afghan Taliban administration through diplomatic channels and with the support of friendly countries, but said no effective action had been taken against the groups involved in cross-border militancy.

Pakistan reiterated that it would not compromise on its national security and the safety of its citizens, warning that it reserved the right to respond against those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad condemned the Bannu attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Bannu. Our hearts are with the Government and people of Pakistan, KP police, and the family and friends of the victims,” the embassy said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The embassy also reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with Pakistan in efforts to combat terrorism.

Separately, Iran strongly condemned the attack, with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri expressing condolences to the Pakistani government and the families of the victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the ambassador said in a statement posted on X.