Pakistan targets 7 terrorist camps along Pak-Afghan border in retributive response: MoIB
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 :The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) on Sunday confirmed that Pakistan had conducted “intelligence-based selective targeting” of seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in a “retributive response”.
“In the aftermath of recent suicide bombing incidents in Pakistan, including Imam Bargah at Islamabad, one each in Bajaur and Bannu followed by another incident today in Bannu during the holy month of Ramazan, Pakistan has conclusive evidence that these acts of terrorism were perpetrated by Khawarij on the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers,” the ministry said in a news statement.
The ministry added that the responsibilities for those attacks were already claimed by Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban belonging to Fitna al Khwarij (FAK) and their affiliates, and Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP).
In the statement, it said the targeted camps and hideouts belonged to “Pakistani Taliban of FAK (Fitna Al Khawarij) and its affiliates and ISKP”.
“Despite repeated efforts by Pakistan to urge the Afghan Taliban Regime to take verifiable measures to deny use of Afghan Territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to carry out Terrorist activities in Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban Regime failed to undertake any substantive action against them,” the ministry noted.
It maintained that Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of its citizens is the top priority.
“In this backdrop, Pakistan, in a retributive response, has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven Terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban of FAK and its affiliates and ISKP at the border region of Pakistan-Afghan border with precision and accuracy.”
The ministry said, “Pakistan expects and reiterates the Interim Afghan Government to fulfil its obligations and deny use of its soil by Khwarij and terrorists against Pakistan as the safety and security of people of Pakistan comes first and foremost.”
“Pakistan also expects the international community to play a positive and constructive role by urging the Taliban regime to stand by its commitments as part of Doha Agreement to deny use of its soil against other countries; an act vital for regional and global peace and security,” it added.
