Jaffar Express attack: Kabul ‘asked’ to explain terrorists’ contact with handlers in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, MAR 17 (DNA): Amid a recent surge in terrorist attacks in the country, Pakistan has sought an explanation from Afghanistan regarding the contact of terrorists involved in the Jaffar Express attack with their handlers in the latter’ territory.

Although, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued any statement in this regard, sources have said that Taliban’s Chargé D’affaires Sardar Ahmad Shekib was called to the Foreign Office to lodge a strong protest and use of Afghan soil for the heinous attack.

The development comes after last week’s harrowing attack by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants who blew up train tracks and held over 440 passengers hostage in a day-long standoff with security services in a remote mountain pass in the Bolan district.

The military, after clearing the train and rescuing hostages, said it killed 33 attackers. Before the operation began, terrorists had martyred 26 passengers, while four security personnel were martyred during the operation.

The martyred train passengers included 18 security personnel from the army and the FC, three officials from Pakistan Railways and other departments and five civilians.

Speaking to the media following the culmination of the security forces’ operation, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that the terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan.

“We have credible intelligence confirming that the networks orchestrating these attacks are operating from across the border in Afghanistan,” said the military’s spokesperson.

He also disclosed that among those involved in the attack, was a key figure who had previously served in the Afghan Army and was now actively engaged in terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Lt-Gen Chaudhry’s remarks reflect Islamabad’s stance which has time again urged Kabul to prevent its soil from being used by terrorist organisations against Pakistan — something which has been backed by statistics from a recent Global Terrorism Index 2025 report.

The report not only highlighted the coinciding surge in terror incidents in Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in Kabul, but also pointed out that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) capitalisation of increased operational freedom and access to safe havens in the neighbouring country.

Meanwhile, during the interaction with Kabul’s envoy Sardar Shekib, the diplomat was reminded that the Taliban had given an international assurance that they wouldn’t allow the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan and the assurance was given in the Doha Agreement — signed between Afghan Taliban and the United States.

The Afghan CdA was told that the outfit that had been declared as a terrorist organisation by the world body had used the Afghan soil for their heinous acts.

It is pertinent to mention Islamabad doesn’t recognise the government in Kabul but has allowed the presence of the Taliban’s diplomatic representative in Pakistan since they control Kabul.

A strong-worded resolution of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the matter is a source of diplomatic satisfaction for Pakistan, as it mentioned the BLA and Majeed Brigade by name for acts of terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the world leaders who condemned the incident.

With Pakistan expressing satisfaction over the international reaction and wide condemnation of the train hijacking, sources say that the government was mulling over thanking the world leaders and countries that expressed solidarity with the country and a list could be issued in a couple of days.