On Saturday, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack on the Pakistani embassy in Kabul. Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has described the incident as an “assassination attempt” on Ambassador Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani.
While Nizamani was unharmed, a Pakistani security guard, Sepoy Israr Mohammad, was critically injured during the attack and is currently receiving treatment in Peshawar.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry released a statement that it is working independently and alongside Afghan authorities to verify the validity of the reports of ISKP’s involvement.
It said, “The terrorist attack is yet another reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.”
IEA strongly condemns failed firing attack towards @PakinAfg in Kabul & prays for speedy recovery of a security guard. IEA will not allow any malicious actors to pose a threat to the security of diplomatic missions in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/JRkRnSMugA
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) December 2, 2022
On Friday, a gunman entered the embassy from behind the premises and began firing. The suspect was reportedly living on the eighth floor of a neighbouring building and planted bombs in three rooms of that floor.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident and called on the Taliban to investigate the attack and take measures to protect Pakistani diplomats and citizens.
It also summoned Afghan Chargé d’Affaires Sardar Muhammad Shokaib to express its concern, denouncing the “serious breach of security of the embassy premises.”
Spoken with my Head of Mission in Kabul @ubaidniz. Whom earlier survived an assassination attempt. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. The safety & security of our diplomats are of fundamental importance. We salute bravery of Sepoy Israr & pray for his swift recovery
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 2, 2022
It has confirmed that it will not shut down the embassy or withdraw diplomats from Afghanistan. Furthermore, the foreign ministry said it is in touch with the Taliban regarding strengthening security measures.
Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the “failed attack” was orchestrated by Pakistan and Afghanistan’s “common enemies.” He vowed to ensure that “malicious actors” are not able to undermine the security of diplomatic missions in the country. He announced that an investigation has been initiated, and those responsible will face justice.
A Kabul police spokesperson said it has already arrested one suspect. Security officials took possession of an AK-47 rifle, a long-range automatic rifle, a sniper rifle, and other weapons from the suspect.
Just spoke to Ubaid Nizamani 🇵🇰 Head of Mission, Kabul. Relieved to hear that he is safe. I expressed solidarity of govt & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts. I also conveyed prayers for swift recovery of brave security guard.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 2, 2022
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari convened a telephonic call with the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Sunday, wherein the Afghan minister reiterated the Taliban’s commitment to identify and prosecute the orchestrators of the attack.
Bhutto reassured that the perpetrators would fail in their “nefarious” designs to damage relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also said Pakistan remains “undeterred” in its “unwavering commitment to fight terrorism.”
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and demanded an immediate investigation into the “heinous act.” Similarly, President Alvi said the attack is a “cause for concern,” calling for “joint efforts” to combat terrorism.
We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on the Pakistani Mission in Kabul, targeting its Head of Mission in Kabul, Ubaid Nizamani. We offer our sympathies and wish a quick recovery to those injured. We call for a full and transparent investigation into the attack.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 2, 2022
United States State Department spokesperson Ned Price also condemned the incident and extended sympathies and wishes for the speedy recovery of anyone injured in the violent attack.
“The United States is deeply concerned by the attack on a foreign diplomat, and we call for a full and transparent investigation,” he remarked during a press briefing on Friday.
In a parallel development, the Pakistani consulate in Kandahar’s Twitter profile was hacked on Friday. Authorities soon recovered the account and deleted the “unsolicited tweets.”
The attacks come shortly after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) decision to end the ceasefire with the Pakistani government and threatened to launch nationwide attacks. In fact, it carried out a suicide attack in Quetta last Wednesday that killed four people.