Pakistan summons Afghan envoy over deadly North Waziristan attack

Pakistan on Friday condemned a terrorist assault on a military camp in North Waziristan, summoning the Afghan deputy head of mission to lodge a formal protest with the Afghan Taliban authorities.

Islamabad accused the Taliban of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan soil, facilitating attacks against Pakistani forces and civilians.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “grave concern” over continued support and permissive conditions for the Fitna Al-Khawarij/Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (FAK/TTP), which it said enabled cross-border attacks along the Pak-Afghan frontier.

Officials warned that such activity violates Afghanistan’s international obligations and contradicts repeated Taliban assurances that their territory would not be used to target Pakistan.

Pakistan urged Afghan authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and take decisive action against both perpetrators and facilitators, including group leadership. Islamabad also emphasized its right to defend its sovereignty and citizens and signaled it would take all necessary measures to counter terrorism originating from Afghan soil.

Four soldiers killed

The attack on a security forces camp in Boya, North Waziristan, left four Pakistani soldiers dead and four militants killed, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Militants from the “Fitna al Khwarij” group launched a coordinated assault on December 19, attempting to breach the camp’s perimeter. Security forces responded, foiling the attack. The assailants detonated an explosive-laden vehicle against the outer wall, causing its collapse and damaging nearby civilian infrastructure, including a mosque. Fifteen civilians, including women and children, were injured, and several homes were damaged.

The fallen soldiers 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 described the assault as “a heinous act of barbarism” orchestrated by militants based in Afghanistan, contradicting Taliban claims that such groups are not operating from their territory.

Pakistan reiterated its demand that the interim Afghan government take concrete measures against all terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil and warned that it reserves the right to pursue and eliminate militants along with their facilitators to protect national security.