Pakistan warns Afghanistan after deadly Kohat attack

Pakistan has warned Afghanistan that it has the “will and capability” to deal with terrorist threats wherever they originate following the deadly attack on a police facility in Kohat.

The warning came a day after a terrorist attack at Kohat Police Lines killed at least 21 people, including 15 police personnel, during Friday prayers. According to Pakistani authorities, an explosives-filled vehicle detonated near a mosque before armed attackers entered the compound and targeted police facilities.

The Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan, led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the attack highlighted the continuing security threat posed by militant groups allegedly operating from Afghanistan. Islamabad urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to take concrete steps against groups accused of planning attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan said it had repeatedly raised concerns about alleged terrorist sanctuaries, recruitment networks and support infrastructure on Afghan soil. The government called on Kabul to dismantle such networks and prevent them from being used to carry out attacks against Pakistan.

“Pakistan has both the will and the capability to eliminate terrorist threats wherever they are,” the ministry said. It added that Islamabad would take necessary measures under international law to protect its people, territory and sovereignty.

Islamabad also called on the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to take verifiable action against terrorism. Pakistan said continued militant activity in Afghanistan could contribute to wider regional instability.

The government noted that Kabul had condemned the Kohat attack and expressed sympathy for the victims’ families. However, Pakistan criticised the Afghan statement for not directly referring to terrorism.

Pakistan said condemnation alone was not enough and demanded sustained measures to dismantle militant networks, disrupt recruitment and training and prevent attacks from being planned or launched from Afghan territory.

Tensions increased further after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside Afghanistan. Pakistan criticised the statement and said Kabul should focus on addressing militant networks rather than threatening Islamabad.

Mujahid has called for dialogue and improved intelligence cooperation between the two countries. He also said Afghanistan would defend its territory if Pakistan carried out military action inside the country.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated over the past year amid repeated accusations over cross-border militancy. Pakistan maintains that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operates from Afghan territory, while the Taliban authorities deny the allegations and accuse Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty.

Islamabad has said meaningful engagement with Kabul depends on concrete and verifiable action against militant organisations, particularly the TTP. Pakistan has also raised concerns about other groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army.

Despite the tensions, Pakistan has kept diplomatic channels and limited institutional contacts open. Officials have indicated that any major shift in policy will depend on developments on the ground and whether Kabul takes demonstrable action against groups accused of targeting Pakistan.