Taliban Spokesman Denies Afghan Involvement in Dera Ismail Khan Attack

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, has categorically denied the group’s involvement in the recent deadly attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This statement comes in response to the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoning the Taliban embassy's charge d'affaires in Islamabad, demanding the extradition of those responsible for the attack.

Pakistan's military confirmed that at least 23 policemen were killed in the suicide bombing at a Dera Ismail Khan police station on Tuesday. Contrary to Mujahid's claims, documents obtained by Afghanistan International's Pashto section suggest that an Afghan Taliban member, a resident of Musa Qala district in Helmand province, executed the attack.

In a Wednesday interview with the Taliban-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Mujahid expressed his condolences for the attack. He assured that the Taliban would initiate an investigation if Pakistan provides detailed information about the incident. Mujahid also remarked on Pakistan's strong security presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, implying their capability to prevent such attacks.

Mujahid emphasised that attributing every issue to another country is not a constructive approach. Meanwhile, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's former defence minister, asserted that Afghanistan is the sole origin of terrorism. Asif urged the Taliban, as a "neighbouring brother," not to allow its territory to be used against Pakistan.