Pakistan on Wednesday issued a “strong demarche” to Afghanistan after a deadly terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment two days earlier, which led to the martyrdom of eight soldiers and injured many others.
Over the weekend, at least eight Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom as security forces effectively thwarted a terrorist attack at the Bannu Cantonment, killing all 10 militants, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). It said the terrorists had attacked the Bannu Cantonment in the early hours of July 15, but their attempt to enter the facility was effectively thwarted by security forces personnel. Subsequently, the militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment, it added.
Reacting to the attack, the Foreign Office on Wednesday said it had summoned the deputy head of mission of the embassy of Afghanistan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and delivered a strong demarche over the deadly terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment.
It alleged the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group based in Afghanistan conducted the terrorist attack, adding that the group—along with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials in multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
In its statement, the Foreign Office urged Kabul to “fully investigate and take immediate, robust and effective action against the perpetrators of the Bannu attack and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks against Pakistan using the territory of Afghanistan.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s serious concerns over the presence of terror outfits inside Afghanistan that continue to threaten Pakistan’s security, it stressed that such incidents also go against the “spirit of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.” The statement emphasized that the Bannu incident was yet “another reminder of the serious threat posed by terrorism to regional peace and security.”
Reiterating the call for decisive action against terrorism, it said Pakistan “remains steadfast in its commitment to combat this menace and to uphold its security against all threats.”
Last year, Pakistan had summoned the head of the Afghan diplomatic mission in Islamabad and demanded the extradition of terrorist Gul Bahadur over his alleged role in terrorist activities in Pakistan. Last month, the government announced its intent to launch Vision Azm-e-Istehkam, a renewed nationwide anti-terror drive that seeks to eradicate the menace from society.