FO confirms veracity of reports about IS-KP Kabul embassy attack claim

The Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed the reports circulating on social media that the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) was behind the attack on Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul that was launched a couple of days ago, reported 24News HD TV channel on Sunday. 

In a statement on Sunday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we have seen reports that Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) has accepted responsibility for the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.

She said we are verifying the veracity of these reports independently and in consultation with the Afghan authorities.

The spokesperson said the terrorist attack is yet another reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. She said we must act resolutely with all our collective might to defeat the menace of terrorism.

Earlier in a press release, the FO said: “We have seen reports that IS-KP has accepted responsibility for the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Embassy compound on 2 December 2022. 

“Independently and in consultation with the Afghan authorities, we are verifying the veracity of these reports. This notwithstanding, the terrorist attack is yet another reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. We must act resolutely with all our collective might to defeat this menace. On its part, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to combat terrorism.

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Press Release

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 4, 2022

Earlier, the AFP reported that the Islamic State group claimed responsibility Saturday for an attack on Pakistan's embassy in Kabul, which Islamabad decried as an "assassination attempt".

A security guard was wounded in the attack Friday in the Afghan capital.

In a statement cited by jihadist monitor SITE, the Islamic State's regional chapter said it had "attacked the apostate Pakistani ambassador and his guards".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called it "an assassination attempt" on the head of the mission, and demanded an investigation.

A Kabul police spokesman said one suspect had been arrested and two light weapons seized after security forces swept a nearby building.

Although Pakistan does not officially recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government, it kept its embassy open even as the hardline Islamists took over in August last year, and maintains a full diplomatic mission.

An embassy official told AFP a lone attacker "came behind the cover of houses and started firing", but that the ambassador and other staff were safe.

A spokesman for Afghanistan's foreign ministry said they strongly condemned the "failed attack".

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will not allow any malicious actors to pose a threat to the security of diplomatic missions in Kabul," it said in a statement, vowing to find and punish those responsible.

Pakistan is home to more than a million Afghan refugees, and the porous border they share is frequently the scene of clashes.

Since returning to power, the Afghan Taliban have insisted they would not allow foreign militant groups to operate from home soil.

Reporter Mohsinul Mulk

And input from AFP