- Pakistan initially blamed India for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa terror attack.
- Attacker identified as Afghan Taliban member in Bajaur blast.
- Pakistan alleges Afghan soil used for terror activities.
Days after Pakistan accused India of the deadly explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 security personnel and a child, it has now taken a sharp U-turn. Although TTP, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, is a designated terrorist organisation operating along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, it claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide attack on the FC check post in the Bajaur district bordering Afghanistan, it was the Pakistani military which pointed fingers at New Delhi without any concrete proof.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On February 16, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on security forces and law enforcement agencies’ joint check post in Bajaur District by Khwarij belonging to Fitna al Khwarij”.
The statement by ISPR added that 12 terrorists were eliminated after security forces retaliated and “engaged the fleeing khwarij with precision”.
“In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to the impact of the blast, infrastructure collapsed killing eleven..." ISPR elaborated that the blast affected residential buildings in the area as well, “leading to the killing of one innocent young girl”.
Taliban attacker behind blast
Now, the attacker is identified as an Afghan national and a member of the Afghan Taliban’s special forces, ARY News reported on Friday, citing security sources.
According to the report, the attacker has been identified as Khwariji Ahmed, also known as Qari Abdullah Abuzar, a resident of Afghanistan’s Balkh province.
ARY Sources said he was previously associated with the Taliban’s special forces unit.
Security officials claimed there is clear evidence that Afghan soil is being used to plan and launch terrorist activities against Pakistan.
They further alleged that the involvement of Afghan nationals in recent attacks inside Pakistan indicates patronage and facilitation by the Afghan Taliban regime.
India rejected Pakistan's baseless claims
In earlier instances, Pakistan desperately blamed New Delhi for such terror attacks. When a deadly blast occurred in a mosque on February 6, Islamabad blamed India-- a claim which was refuted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
"The bombing at an Islamabad mosque earlier today is condemnable and India condoles the loss of life it has caused. It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills. India rejects any and every such allegation."
(With inputs from agencies)