Pakistan’s Foreign Office delivered a sharp rebuke to the Afghan Taliban government after summoning its deputy head of mission in Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon. The move came in response to a deadly vehicle-borne suicide attack on February 16 in Bajaur district, northwest Pakistan, where 11 soldiers from the military and law enforcement agencies lost their lives.

The assault targeted a security post in Bajaur. A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the site, followed by a gunfire raid. Officials attributed the attack to Fitna al Khwarij, also known as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for numerous strikes inside Pakistan.

“Pakistan condemned in the strongest possible terms the vehicle borne suicide terrorist attack followed by a fire raid on Pakistan Military and Law Enforcement Agencies’ post in Bajaur carried out by Fitna al Khwarij / TTP,” the Foreign Office spokesperson stated in a press release issued Thursday.

During the meeting, Pakistani officials expressed deep alarm over the TTP’s operations. The group’s entire leadership resides in Afghanistan, they noted, and it carries out attacks with impunity from there. Pakistan has shared intelligence on these threats multiple times, according to the spokesperson.

Islamabad reiterated past assurances from the Afghan Taliban regime to curb such activities. Those pledges, however, have produced no tangible results, the Foreign Office said. “It was reemphasized that Pakistan has repeatedly received assurances from the Afghan Taliban regime, but, regrettably, with no visible or concrete actions,” the release stated.

The demarche demanded immediate, verifiable steps. Afghan authorities must act against all terror groups on their soil, including TTP leaders, Pakistani officials told the deputy envoy. Failure to do so risks escalation.

Pakistan made its position clear on potential retaliation. “The Afghan Taliban regime has also been categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to respond and eliminate any Khwarij belonging to FAK group along with their affiliates, wherever they are located to ensure safety of its soldiers, civilians and territorial boundaries,” the spokesperson added.

Bajaur, part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, has seen frequent militant violence. The TTP, which shares ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban but views Pakistan’s government as an enemy, stepped up attacks after the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Kabul. Cross-border incursions remain a flashpoint in bilateral ties.

Wednesday’s summons highlights fraying patience in Islamabad. Previous diplomatic protests have yielded little, diplomats say privately. Security forces in Bajaur and nearby areas heightened alerts after the bombing, with operations ongoing to hunt remaining militants.

The Foreign Office release highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to border security. Any threat to troops or civilians will prompt decisive action, it warned. Afghan officials have not yet commented publicly on the demarche.