Pakistan vehemently condemned the brutal terrorist assault on civilians and police officers praying at a mosque in Kohat on Friday, sharply criticizing the Afghan Taliban regime for its failure to curb terrorist groups. The attack targeted a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during prayers, resulting in at least 22 fatalities, including 16 police personnel, and over 100 injuries.
The victims comprised 16 police officials and six civilians, among them Dr. Israel Khan Orakzai, Chief District Specialist at Liaquat Memorial Hospital. Following the attack, security forces conducted an operation that killed eight militants involved in the incident.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Information described the perpetrators as the vilest form of “Khwarij” with origins in Afghanistan, emphasizing that terrorism transcends religion and has no justification. The statement condemned those who carry out, support, or shelter such acts as the worst among humanity.
Pakistan has consistently raised serious concerns about terrorist groups using Afghan territory as a base to plan and execute attacks within Pakistan. The ministry highlighted that the existence of terrorist sanctuaries, along with recruitment and support networks in Afghanistan, poses a direct threat to Pakistan’s security. These issues have been repeatedly communicated to the Afghan Taliban regime and their representatives, urging them to dismantle these networks instead of shifting blame.
In a significant development, the statement criticized Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid for threatening Pakistan with a “crushing response” while his regime allegedly sponsors terrorism in Pakistan. The ministry urged the Afghan Taliban to address the terrorist infrastructure flourishing under their protection rather than deflect responsibility and malign Pakistan.
The statement stressed that such behavior cannot obscure the Taliban’s counterterrorism obligations under the Doha Agreement or their duty to prevent Afghan soil from being used to threaten other nations.
Notably, Pakistan acknowledged the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ condemnation of the Kohat attack and its condolences to the victims’ families, but pointed out the omission of any reference to terrorism in their statement. The ministry emphasized that condemnation must be accompanied by tangible action.
Pakistan called on the Afghan Taliban to undertake credible, verifiable, and sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries, disrupt recruitment and training networks, and stop terrorist groups from planning or launching attacks against Pakistan.
The ministry reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban but warned that dialogue will not be tolerated as a cover for those threatening Pakistani citizens. Pakistan affirmed its capability and determination to neutralize terrorist threats wherever they exist, pledging to take all necessary measures in line with international law to safeguard its people, territory, and sovereignty.
Furthermore, Islamabad has repeatedly cautioned that the continued presence and operations of terrorist groups in Afghanistan will exacerbate instability, with serious consequences for regional and global security. The ministry urged the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban regime to take decisive and verifiable steps to counter this threat before it spreads further across the region and beyond.
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