Tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has risen sharply in recent days, following accusations from Kabul that Islamabad carried out drone strikes on the ninth of October. Those strikes reportedly killed several people and reignited friction between the two neighbours. Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s interior minister has now stated that Afghan nationals were responsible for two deadly suicide attacks inside Pakistan this week.
The first attack took place on Tuesday outside a district court in Islamabad. A suicide bomber detonated explosives near the entrance of the court complex, killing twelve people and injuring twenty seven others. Rescue teams rushed victims to nearhospitals while security forces cordoned off the area and began an investigation. The blast shook the capital and raised concerns about the growing reach of militant groups.
A second attack was carried out a day earlier near the Afghan border. On Monday, militants attempted to storm the Cadet College Wana in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Officials said a suicide bomber and four other attackers tried to force their way into the institution, prompting a fierce gun battle with security personnel. Three soldiers were killed in the confrontation, while the attackers were stopped before they could enter the campus.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters on Thursday that both suicide bombers were Afghan citizens. According to him, initial investigations point to the involvement of Afghan nationals who crossed into Pakistan with the intention to carry out the attacks. He said the government is closely examining how the attackers entered the country and who facilitated their movement.
These incidents come at a time when relations between Islamabad and Kabul remain fragile. Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concerns about militant groups operating from Afghan territory, while Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of interfering in its internal affairs. The latest accusations and counter accusations have intensified the diplomatic strain.
Security analysts believe the back to back attacks highlight the risk posed extremist networks that move across the long and porous border between the two countries. They warn that without stronger cooperation, the threat of similar incidents may continue.
The interior minister said Pakistan will take all necessary steps to secure its borders and protect its citizens. He added that detailed investigations are under way and that authorities expect to uncover more information in the coming days.
For now, the two attacks have deepened public anxiety, particularly in Islamabad and areas along the frontier. As winter approaches and tensions rise, Pakistan faces renewed challenges in maintaining security and managing its complex relationship with Afghanistan.
