Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Pakistan has asked the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan hand over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists involved in the Besham terror attack on Chinese nationals. The attack, which occurred in March this year, resulted in the deaths of six people, including five Chinese nationals, when a suicide bomber targeted a bus transporting workers of the Dasu hydropower project in the Shangla district.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking at a joint press conference with officials from the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Necta), stressed the urgency of Pakistan’s request. “Whether Afghanistan tries the terrorists in their courts or not, they should hand over the militants to Pakistan,” Naqvi declared.
According to Pakistani authorities, the TTP orchestrated the attack from Afghan territory. “We have formally requested the interim Afghan government to arrest the TTP leadership,” Naqvi stated, emphasizing that concrete evidence ties the TTP to the attack.
But, the Taliban has denied any involvement in the deadly attack.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concerns to Kabul about the presence of terror groups, including the TTP, operating from within Afghanistan. These groups pose significant threats to Pakistan’s security, frequently launching attacks across the border. “We have urged Afghan authorities to take effective action against these terrorists and deny them safe havens,” the Foreign Office reiterated in March.
Despite assurances from Afghanistan’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir in January that Afghan soil would not be used for attacks against other nations, Pakistan remains dissatisfied with the lack of tangible action from Kabul.
The cessation of peace talks between Pakistan and the TTP in 2021 has led to a surge in terrorist activities, with the TTP officially ending a ceasefire in November of that year and conducting numerous attacks since.
During the press briefing, Necta head Tahir Rai disclosed that the vehicle used in the Besham attack was assembled in Japan and had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan, further substantiating claims of cross-border terrorism.
