ISLAMABAD: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s strong demarche concerning the May 9 suicide attack on a police post in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that martyred 15 police personnel.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned the Afghan chargé d’affaires on May 11 and handed over the demarche, citing evidence that the attack was planned and orchestrated from Afghan soil by Fitna al-Khawarij elements, also known as TTP.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid termed Pakistan’s claims baseless. He stated that issues between the two countries should be resolved through mutual understanding and cooperation instead of accusations and threats. Mujahid reiterated that Afghan soil would not be used against any neighbouring country.
The attack targeted the Fateh Khel police post late on May 9. Terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the checkpoint, triggering a powerful blast that destroyed the post. Gunmen then assaulted from multiple directions using heavy weaponry.
According to Bannu police officials, 18 personnel were present at the post at the time of the attack. Fifteen were martyred while three sustained injuries. Rescue teams recovered personnel trapped under the debris.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the assault as a “cowardly vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) attack” carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists. It noted that detailed investigations, evidence, and technical intelligence pointed to planning from Afghan territory.
The FO statement highlighted Pakistan’s repeated calls on the Afghan Taliban administration to take concrete action against TTP and affiliated groups operating from Afghan soil. It added that Islamabad has engaged through multiple rounds of talks, including those mediated by friendly countries, but verifiable action remains pending.
Pakistan has reserved the right to respond decisively to protect its national security and citizens. The statement emphasised that the fight against terrorism is a shared responsibility and urged the Afghan side to honour commitments that its territory would not be used against Pakistan.
This latest incident comes amid a surge in cross-border terrorism incidents. Security reports indicate heightened TTP activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2021, with sanctuaries allegedly located in Afghan provinces bordering Pakistan.
The Bannu attack follows a pattern of sophisticated operations involving vehicle-borne IEDs combined with small arms and coordinated assaults. Pakistani officials have repeatedly linked such attacks to TTP networks enjoying safe havens across the border.
Diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained over the terrorism issue. Pakistan has conducted several rounds of diplomatic engagements while maintaining that concrete steps against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan are essential for regional stability.
The rejection of the demarche underscores deep differences in threat perception. While Pakistan presents intelligence linking attacks to Afghan soil, the Taliban administration continues to deny the presence of such sanctuaries or operational facilitation.
Analysts note that sustained dialogue remains the preferred channel, though trust deficits and differing priorities continue to complicate bilateral security cooperation. Future developments will depend on verifiable actions against cross-border militant networks and sustained high-level engagement between the two sides.
The situation continues to evolve with implications for border management, counter-terrorism coordination, and overall bilateral ties in the coming months.