Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has reaffirmed that Afghanistan continues to serve as a safe haven for militants, following a deadly terrorist attack on a military base in Bannu. The attack, carried out by more than a dozen militants, involved two suicide bombers driving explosives-laden vehicles into the cantonment’s perimeter. The assault led to the martyrdom of five soldiers and 13 civilians, causing severe damage to nearby infrastructure, including a mosque and residential buildings.
Pakistan has been facing an increase in terrorist attacks, primarily from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group that Islamabad accuses of operating from Afghan soil. The military confirmed that intelligence reports provided undeniable proof of Afghan nationals’ involvement in the Bannu attack and that the assault was orchestrated by insurgents in Afghanistan. The army chief stated that no entity would be allowed to destabilize Pakistan’s peace and security.
Pakistan has called on the interim Afghan government to prevent terrorist groups from using its territory to launch attacks. The military has also asserted Pakistan’s right to take necessary measures to counter cross-border threats. Meanwhile, the militant group Jaish-e-Fursan Muhammad, affiliated with the TTP, has claimed responsibility for the Bannu attack.
The TTP, formed in 2007, has been responsible for some of Pakistan’s deadliest attacks, including attacks on schools, churches, and security forces. Despite pledging allegiance to the Afghan Taliban, the TTP operates independently, aiming to impose strict religious laws in Pakistan.
