Pakistan has formally protested to Afghanistan following a suicide attack in the northwestern city of Bannu that killed 15 police officers.
Islamabad summoned a senior Afghan diplomat on Monday, accusing militants based in Afghanistan of planning the assault. Pakistani authorities said investigations and intelligence findings linked the attack to members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group Pakistan claims operates from Afghan territory.
According to officials, the attack began when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-filled vehicle near a security checkpoint, triggering a gun battle involving several armed attackers. Some officers died during the exchange of fire, while others were killed after part of the building collapsed. Four additional officers were injured.
A splinter faction known as Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan claimed responsibility for the bombing, though Islamabad alleges the group is connected to the TTP.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warned Kabul that it reserves the right to take decisive action against those responsible for the attack. Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied allowing militants to use their territory to launch attacks against neighbouring countries.
The incident adds to rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite recent diplomatic efforts and China-mediated talks aimed at easing border violence between the two countries.
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