The Foreign Office has issued a statement saying that it is verifying claims made by Islamic State assuming responsibility for the attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul.
In a statement on Sunday the FO said that they have seen reports that the Islamic State-Khorasan Province —an affiliate of the Islamic State militant group active in South Asia and Central Asia — has claimed the December 2nd attack on the Pakistan Embassy compound.
“Independently and in consultation with the Afghan authorities, we are verifying the veracity of these reports,” the statement said.
Maintaining that Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism, the statement further said, “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.”
Separately, a United States report to Congress this week has expressed doubt on the Afghan Taliban’s ability to counter the Islamic State.
The report, drafted by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) said, “Experts disagree about the potency of the ISKP threat and the Taliban’s self-asserted ability to counter the group without external assistance.”
It further added that the ‘local Islamic State affiliate ISKP, a longtime Taliban adversary’ is a ‘far more potent, armed threat’ to the Taliban.
Previously on Friday, Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul came under attack, with Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Kabul Ubaid Nizamani surviving an assassination attempt.
The diplomat was out on a walk when he was attacked, according to reports. He was saved due to the timely intervention of a guard tasked with securing him. The individual is said to have taken three bullets.
