ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan has formally lodged a strong protest with the Afghan Taliban regime after a terrorist attack launched from Afghan soil targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, resulting in the martyrdom of four Pakistani soldiers.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the deputy head of the Taliban mission in Islamabad was summoned and handed a demarche, conveying Pakistan’s grave concern over the continued presence and activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) elements operating from Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office said the attack was carried out by militants belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, identified as part of Fitna al Khawarij, from across the Afghan border. Pakistan condemned the assault in the strongest possible terms and described it as a clear violation of assurances given by the Afghan Taliban that their territory would not be used against neighbouring countries.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the permissive environment enjoyed by TTP militants in Afghanistan has enabled repeated cross-border attacks on Pakistani military positions and civilian areas along the Pak-Afghan frontier. Islamabad demanded a full investigation into the incident and called for decisive action against both the perpetrators and their facilitators.
Pakistan also urged the Taliban authorities to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including their leadership, and to prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan.
Four soldiers martyred as security forces foil attack on camp in North Waziristan
Separately, the Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that the attack occurred on Friday in the general area of Boya, North Waziristan, when khawarij terrorists attempted to breach the perimeter of a security forces camp.
The military’s media wing said troops responded swiftly and effectively, foiling the infiltration attempt. In a final act, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the outer perimeter wall, causing its collapse and damaging nearby civilian infrastructure, including a mosque.
The explosion left 15 local civilians injured, among them women and children, and damaged several homes in the vicinity. Security forces engaged the attackers with precision and eliminated all four terrorists during the ensuing exchange of fire.
During the intense firefight, four soldiers embraced martyrdom after putting up a gallant resistance. They were identified as Havildar Muhammad Waqas, 42, from Kotli; Naik Khanwaiz, 38, from Mansehra; Sepoy Sufyan Haider, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Riffat, 32, from Layyah.
ISPR said the attack was planned and orchestrated by Afghanistan-based terrorists, contradicting repeated claims by the Afghan Taliban regime that such groups do not operate from their territory. Pakistan reiterated that it expects Kabul to fulfil its obligations by preventing the use of Afghan soil by khawarij elements against Pakistan.
The military statement added that Pakistan reserves the right to pursue and eliminate terrorists, along with their facilitators and affiliates, to ensure the safety and security of its people.
Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns with Kabul over the issue of cross-border terrorism. In October, Pakistani border posts came under attack from across the frontier, prompting a robust response by Pakistani forces that resulted in heavy militant casualties. Twenty-three Pakistani soldiers were martyred during those clashes.
Security forces later carried out precision strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province and Kabul. Since then, a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkiye has remained in place between the two sides.