Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a military base in Balkh province in Afghanistan, which resulted in the loss of precious lives.The Foreign Office reiterated strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with the Afghan Government and the international community in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.The death toll from a Taliban raid on a key army base has exceeded 160, the bloodiest single incident in an attack by the resurgent militants since their ouster in 2001.According to media reports, the attack was seen as another major blow for President Ashraf Ghani’s shaky US-backed government, which, apart from facing rising violence by militants, is also locked in a growing internal power struggle.The major military base for the northern region in Afghanistan’s mostly secure Balkh province was targeted. A group of 10 Taliban fighters in military uniforms drove in two army vehicles and opened fire on mostly unarmed soldiers and officers inside the sprawling base.After the nearly six hours of reportedly indiscriminate gunfire and blasts caused by hand grenades as well as suicide bombers, officials said that dozens of soldiers were killed either after leaving Friday prayers at the base’s mosque or at the dining facility.The level of carnage became clearer Saturday after authorities finished the room-to room search for survivors and cleared the mess caused by the brazen attack, a lawmaker for Balkh said on the condition of anonymity.
The Defense Ministry’s spokesman, DawlatWaziri, said 100 people had been killed.Ghani, who rushed to Balkh to console victims’ families, described the attackers as infidels because officials said the insurgents opened fire on soldiers while they were praying inside the mosque.The attack drew stern condemnation from the U.S. military, which leads the war against militants, including the Taliban, more than 16 years after ousting the radical Islamic government.The Taliban denied killing soldiers inside the mosque. The militants managed to get past two security gates of the base pretending to have brought wounded soldiers for medical treatment, local officials said. They were challenged at the third gate after refusing to hand over their assault rifles and other weapons. Then, they blew up one vehicle to allow their comrades to get inside.
The Taliban said four of the attackers were army defectors who had served at the base until recent years. The group said the rampage was a prelude to the militants’ traditional spring offensive.Pakistan has extended heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government and the people of Afghanistan as well as to the bereaved families. Pakistan and Afghanistan both are worst victims of terrorism. It is unfortunate to say that after the sixteenth years of ongoing US led military operation in Afghanistan could not produce tangible results. People of war-torn Afghanistan could get peace and stability. Under the leadership of Ashraf Ghani Afghanistan has become the epicentres of proxies and its soils are being used by Indians and others against Pakistan. No cooperation is being offered from Afghanistan in his efforts to combat terrorists who have safe hideouts inside Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan should cooperate in each other to combat this common threat.US should take steps to resolve this issue through peaceful dialogue by engaging all stakeholders.
