COAS asks RSM to stop use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks in Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Friday held a telephonic conversation with US General John Nicholson, Commander of Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan, according to the Inter Services Public Relations.

During the conversation, the COAS expressed his concerns over continued acts of terrorism in Pakistan with impunity from Afghanistan, the ISPR said in a statement.

On Thursday, at least 88 people were martyred when a suicide bomber attacked the crowded Sufi shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, injuring up to 343 others, according to DG Health Services Sindh-Hyderabad.

The powerful blast took place inside the premises of the shrine as a dhamaal was taking place.

"Most of the incidents in Pakistan are claimed by terrorist organisations with leadership hiding in Afghanistan," Gen Bajwa told US General John Nicholson.

Read: Security concerns prompt closure of Pak-Afghan border

"The COAS said that such terrorist activities and inaction against them are testing our current policy of cross-border restraint," read the statement.

"He asked the RSM commander to play his role in disconnecting this planning, direction, coordination and financial support."

The attack in Sehwan came as part of a recent wave of terrorist attacks in the country, and the fifth blast in less than a week targeting innocent people.

The army chief also informed him about list of terrorists handed over to Afghan officials for action against them who are hiding inside Afghanistan since long, according to the statement.

Also read: Afghan embassy officials summoned at GHQ in Rawalpindi

The US general expressed his condolences on the loss of precious lives in recent terrorist incidents [in Pakistan] and assured him full assistance in response to his concerns, the ISPR said.

General Nicholson also shared his plans to undertake special coordination at appropriate level between RSM, Afghan security forces and Pakistan.

Also this: Over 100 terrorists killed in operations across Pakistan: ISPR

On February 15, three suicide bombers targeted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the adjoining tribal areas leaving around seven people dead. One of the incidents occurred in Peshawar where a suicide bomber riding a motorbike hit a vehicle carrying civil judges, while two other suicide bombers blew themselves up at separate locations in Mohmand Agency.

Earlier to these, a suicide attack in Lahore on February 13 killed 14 people and wounded over 60 others.

On February 12, a cameraman, Taimur from Samaa News was killed when the channel’s DSNG van was attacked in Karachi.