KABUL – The Pakistani government officials reacted at the allegationssuggesting that the Pakistan-based Haqqani terrorist network was involvedbehind the deadly attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

“We reject the knee jerk allegations by some Afghan circles to point thefinger at Pakistan for the terrorist attack on intercontinental hotel inKabul,” a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Dr.Mohammad Faisal said.

He also added “There is need for a credible investigation into the attack,including on reported security lapses.”

The ministry said their preliminary findings show that the attack wasplotted by the Haqqani terrorist network which has safe havens outsideAfghanistan.

No further details were given in this regard but the Afghan officials havelong been insisting that the terror network has safe havens and theirleadership councils are based in the key cities of Pakistan.

The Ministry of Interior said eighteen people were killed in the attackincluding fourteen foreigners and four Afghan nationals.

According to the ministry, at least nine people including six personnel ofthe Afghan national police Special Operations Forces were also wounded.