The Foreign Office on Friday delivered a strong demarche to the Afghan Taliban regime, voicing deep alarm over its ongoing support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following a terrorist strike in North Waziristan that martyred four Pakistani soldiers.
“Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attack by Khwarij from the Kharji Gul Bahadur Group on a military camp in North Waziristan District,” the FO spokesperson stated.
Pakistan summoned Afghanistan’s deputy head of mission to protest the Taliban’s continued backing of TTP, which enables assaults on Pakistani forces and civilians near the border and beyond.
The FO stressed that TTP’s safe haven in Afghanistan contradicts Kabul’s assurances—not to let its territory host attacks on neighbors like Pakistan—and its global pledges.
Pakistan demanded a thorough probe and firm action against those behind and aiding such cross-border terrorism. It pressed the Taliban to act swiftly against all terror outfits on Afghan soil, including leaders, and block its use for strikes on Pakistan.
Islamabad also warned that it reserves the right to safeguard its sovereignty and respond decisively to threats from Afghanistan.
ISPR: Attack on Camp Thwarted, Four Soldiers Martyred
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the incident, reporting that troops foiled an attempt by “Indian proxy” Fitna al Khawarij (TTP) terrorists to breach a security camp in Boya, North Waziristan, on December 19.
In retaliation, the attackers crashed an explosive vehicle into the perimeter wall, collapsing it and damaging nearby civilian sites, including a mosque. The blast wounded 15 locals, among them women and children, and harmed adjacent homes.
Troops struck back precisely, killing all four assailants. Yet, four soldiers—Havildar Muhammad Waqas (42, Kotli), Naik Khanwaiz (38, Mansehra), Sepoy Sufyan Haider (25, Vehari), and Sepoy Riffat (32, Layyah)—fell fighting bravely.
ISPR noted the plot’s Afghan origins, challenging Taliban’s denials, and urged Kabul to stop such groups. Pakistan will hunt down terrorists, enablers, and allies to protect its people.
Persistent Cross-Border Threats
Islamabad has long called on Kabul to rein in militants using Afghan bases for attacks on Pakistan. Yet in October, Taliban forces joined militants in hitting Pakistani posts on October 11-12.
Pakistan responded forcefully, eliminating over 200 Taliban and allies but losing 23 soldiers. Security forces then hit terrorist targets in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Kabul via precision strikes.
A Qatar- and Turkiye-brokered ceasefire has held since.
