Pakistan’s envoy in Kabul escapes attempted murder
Temporary recall of diplomats.
Guard injured in action taken to hospital.
Pakistan has asked the Afghan government to investigate.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on Friday that Pakistan’s Head of Mission to Kabul, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, had narrowly avoided an assassination attempt.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Office, an attack on the embassy compound in Kabul targeted the head of mission.
By the mercy of God Almighty, the Mission Chief has been delivered from harm. The Pakistani security guard protecting the Head of Mission, Sepoy Israr Mohammad, was severely injured in the attack, the FO reported.
In addition, the ministry stated that the Afghan government was urged to launch an immediate investigation into the assassination attempt and embassy attack by Pakistan.
“The Interim Government of Afghanistan must immediately hold thorough investigations in this attack, apprehend the culprits, hold them accountable, and take urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani diplomatic personnel and citizens in Afghanistan,” the statement read.
According to Geo News, the security guard took three bullets to the chest while trying to protect the head of mission from the attack. The Nizamani was reportedly attacked while out for a stroll when it occurred.
Since Friday was a day of rest for embassy employees, no one was present at the Pakistani embassy when the attack occurred. According to the reports, the head of the mission and other officials will temporarily return to Pakistan.
According to a tweet posted by the consulate, the official account of the Pakistani consulate in Kandahar was hacked earlier in the day but was quickly restored.
“Official account of Consulate General of Pakistan Kandahar was hacked a while ago, which was immediately recovered,” the consulate said in a tweet.
It added that unsolicited tweets have been deleted while the matter has been reported to Twitter.
“The Consulate offers sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. The matter is being reported to Twitter,” the consulate added.
President Dr Arif Alvi has also strongly condemned the attempted assassination attack on Ambassador Nizamani.
“Thank God that the Head of Mission in Kabul is safe. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured security guard,” the president said deeming the attack a cause for concern.
Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism and is determined for its end,” Dr Alvi said in a statement.
The president added that terrorism is a common threat and joint efforts are required to compete against it.
PM talks to diplomat
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack deeming it dastardly and lauded the guard for saving the life of Pakistan’s head of mission.
“Salute to brave security guard, who took bullet to save his life,” he wrote in his tweet.
The premier extended prayers for the guard’s swift recovery demanding a “immediate investigation and action against perpetrators of the heinous act”.
The premier also shared on Twitter about his conversation with Ambassador Nizamani.
“Relieved to hear that he is safe. I expressed solidarity of govt & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts,” he tweeted conveying his prayers for swift recovery of the “brave security guard”.
Attack near ex-Afghan PM Hekmatyar’s office
Earlier today, two people were injured in an attack in Kabul near the office of the Hezb-e-Islami party associated with former Afghan prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, but all the senior leaders were safe, the party said in a statement.
Multiple attackers were killed and several guards injured in the incident, according to three Hezb-e-Islami sources and one source with the ruling Taliban.
Kabul police and the interior ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The attack on the Hezb-e-Islami party office occurred near a mosque where senior party leaders were present, but all — including Hekmatyar — were unscathed, according to the party statement and his grandson, Obaidullah Baheer.
“All respected authorities, including the respected leader, are safe and sound … two senior guards from the leader’s support unit were superficially injured and no one else was injured,” the statement said.
One Taliban and one party source said a vehicle belonging to the attackers and packed with explosives had detonated near the office. Firing took place and two attackers were killed while trying to enter the mosque, they said.
Several bombing and shooting attacks have taken place in Afghanistan in recent months, some of which have been claimed by Daesh militants. A blast at a madrassa on Wednesday in northern Afghanistan killed at least 15 people.
