• Diplomat remains unharmed as the guard was injured
• President, Prime Minister condemn attack; Afghan charge d’affaires summoned
• Twitter account of consulate in Kandahar also hacked
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Embassy in Kabul fell under attack on Friday, departure one a guard is badly injured, the foreign ministry said.
According to a statement released by the FI, the target was the head of Mission Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani, who remained unscathed in in attack.
fo “strongly condemned” attackbut added the embassy would continue to function as usual, and there would be no plans recall diplomats from Kabul.
Chargé d’Affaires of Afghanistan was also summoned to the Foreign Office with an official protest over in attack.
According to the official, Mr Nizamani was walking in pakistan missionlawn in Kart-i-Parwan district of Kabul when terrorists fired at it.
shots hit a security guard named Sepoy Israr Mohammad, who was “severely wounded” while trying to rescue Mr. Nizamani, according to FO.
Mohammad who was hit two bullets, was transferred to a hospital and then transferred to Peshawar via helicopter.
An Afghan Taliban source said “several assailants” were involved in the attack. in in attack blown away out from neighboring building. One of Suspects in the attack were reportedly arrested and two weapons seized, the source said. added.
Mr Nizamani was in Kabul for less than a month since took over accusation as head of missionreplacement former Ambassador Mansour Ahmed Khan on November 4th.
Then on On Friday, the DF expressed “deep concern and pain” over in attack Chargé d’Affaires of Afghanistan Sardar Ahmad Khan Shakib and said that attack was a “serious security breach”.
Mr Shakib was told that security and protection of diplomatic mission as well as personnel was the Afghan interim government answered FO called for apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice.
attack came just days after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke the ceasefire agreement. with in government and asked his fighters to carry out attacks in Pakistan.
In a statement signaling the end of ceasefire, ban outfit said the security forces had launched an operation in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and other areas.
condemnation
President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari and Afghanistan condemned the assassination attempt. on Mr Nizamani.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Foreign Ministry also condemned “failed attack”. The ministry said in a statement that “intruders” would not be allowed to pose a security risk. of diplomatic missions in Kabul. “The security authorities are seriously investigating this incident. Once the culprits are identified, they will punished in accordance with the law.” “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the shooting attempt and failed attack on embassy of pakistan in Kabul,” said ministry spokesman Abdul Kahar Balkhi. on Twitter.
President Arif Alvi called attack question of concern,” according to the APP. “[The] attack on diplomatic mission it’s a question of anxiety. I strongly condemn this,” the president said. He also prayed for in recovery of wounded guard.
Denouncing the assassination, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called for immediate request. “I strongly condemn the vile attempt on on Chapter of Mission, Kabul,” he said. in tweet. “I demand immediate investigation and action against criminals of this heinous act.”
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called Mr. Nizamani and expressed his solidarity. “Colloquial with my head of Mission in Kabul @ubaidniz. Whom before survived attempt. We condemn it in strongest possible terms,” he said in tweet. ” safety & safety of our diplomats of fundamental importance. We applaud courage of Sepoy Israr and pray for its fast recovery”.
Various diplomatic missions, including the UN, have demanded an Afghan government ensure diplomats safety.
Twitter account hacked
In a separate development, official Twitter account of consulate of pakistan in Afghan city of Kandahar has been hacked, Consul General Tariq Ali said. on Friday after count posted temporary closure tweets of in mission.
“Greetings everyone! Official account of consulate-General of Pakistan Kandahar was hacked some time ago which was immediately restored. Unsolicited tweets have been removed. The Consulate General sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. This was reported on Twitter,” the consul said. general said in statement.
Abdul Moise Malik in Karachi also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, December 3, 2022
