FILE PHOTO 

By Zahid Shah 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has lodged a strong demarche with the Afghan Taliban regime following a deadly terrorist attack on a Pakistan Army camp in the Boya area of North Waziristan, carried out on Friday morning, officials said.

According to security sources, terrorists belonging to the Khwarij-linked Kharji Gul Bahadur Group rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the military compound. Following the blast, four militants attempted to storm the camp, but Pakistani security forces swiftly foiled the assault, killing all four attackers at the entrance point.

The attack resulted in the martyrdom of four Pakistani soldiers, officials confirmed.

In response to the incident, the Afghan Deputy Head of Mission was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad to convey Pakistan’s strong protest.

The Foreign Office condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and expressed grave concern over the continued presence and activities of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.

“The Ministry conveyed Pakistan’s serious concern over the continued support and facilitation being provided to FAK/TTP elements, enabling them to carry out terrorist attacks against Pakistan’s military and civilian population along the Pak-Afghan border and adjoining areas,” the statement said.

Pakistan emphasized that the permissive environment enjoyed by these groups in Afghanistan runs counter to Kabul’s international commitments, including assurances given to Pakistan that Afghan territory would not be used for attacks against any other country.

Officials recalled that in October, the same terrorist group attempted a suicide bombing targeting a cadet college in Wana, using an explosive-laden vehicle. That attack was also successfully thwarted by security forces, who killed all the militants and saved all students and staff inside the educational institution.

Pakistan has demanded a full investigation into the latest attack and called for decisive action against the perpetrators and their facilitators.

The Afghan Taliban authorities were urged to take immediate, concrete, and verifiable measures against all terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, including action against their leadership.

The demarche also conveyed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.

Pakistan has repeatedly stressed that sustained peace and stability in the region depend on preventing the use of Afghan territory for cross-border terrorism and ensuring effective cooperation against militant groups operating in the border regions.