Pakistan Summons Taliban Envoy Over Use Of Afghan Soil In Train Attack

Pakistan’s The News International has reported that Sardar Ahmad Shekib, the Taliban’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, has been summoned by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The move follows accusations that Afghan territory was used in the recent attack on the Jaffar Express train.

Pakistani officials conveyed strong objections to the Taliban representative. They reminded Shekib of the group’s international commitment under the Doha Agreement, which prohibits the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan.

According to the report, Pakistani authorities warned that a group designated as a terrorist organisation by international bodies had used Afghan territory for its “heinous acts.”

The summons comes after last week’s attack by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants, who bombed railway tracks and took more than 440 passengers hostage. Pakistani military forces launched an operation to rescue the hostages, killing 33 attackers. However, before the operation began, Baloch militants executed 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel. Four more security forces were killed during the rescue mission.

Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Army spokesperson, claimed that the attack was planned and directed by Baloch separatists based in Afghanistan. He stated that intelligence reports confirmed terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory. He also alleged that one of the key attackers was a former Afghan army soldier now engaged in terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Geo News reported that Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil for attacks. The report highlighted an increase in terrorist incidents in Pakistan since the Taliban regained power in Kabul. It also noted that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has gained greater operational freedom and access to safe havens in Afghanistan.