Capital, Wana terror attacks traced to Afghan nationals: Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the Senate on Thursday that Afghan nationals carried out two deadly suicide bombings in Pakistan this week. 

 Speaking in the Upper House, he highlighted the attacks — one outside the Judicial Complex in Islamabad on November 11 and another at Wana Cadet College on November 10 — as a “major, serious concern,” saying that the Afghan administration is supporting militants targeting Pakistan, according to Reuters. Naqvi also shared that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir facilitated talks with Sri Lanka, ensuring their cricket team’s continued stay in Pakistan for ongoing matches. “Our Field Marshal personally spoke to their defence minister and secretary, convincing them and assuring full security,” he said. Despite the Sri Lankan team’s initial decision to leave after the November 11 Islamabad bombing, Naqvi noted that engagement with their board and players, coupled with assurances from Sri Lanka’s president, led to their brave decision to stay. He emphasised that the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and Islamabad Police are now providing state-guest-level security protocols. The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman added that the Zimbabwe team has arrived, with remaining matches scheduled in Rawalpindi. Naqvi underscored the challenge of Afghan nationals conducting attacks, stating, “Our main target is to expel illegal Afghans.” Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar supported Senator Jam Saifullah’s proposal for a briefing by the Ministry of Interior and defence institutions on terrorism and talks with the Taliban regime. Awami National Party President Senator Aimal Wali Khan called for a meeting with federating units to combat extremism, insurgency, and terrorism, lamenting their integration into society. He questioned the fate of 40,000 terrorists, including 10,000 fighters and their facilitators, and reiterated his demand for a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate their roles. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution, tabled by Law and Justice Minister Muhammad Azam Tarar, commending the Sri Lankan government and cricket team for continuing their Pakistan tour despite security concerns. The resolution recognised the historic, brotherly ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, praising the team’s sportsmanship and trust in Pakistan’s resilience. It expressed gratitude for their decision to stay, reflecting deeprooted friendship and solidarity, and commended the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, provincial authorities and law-enforcement agencies for ensuring robust security arrangements. The resolution reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to hosting international sports events safely and highlighted the unifying power of sports in promoting harmony. Geo News reported that security agencies arrested two key suspects — a handler from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a facilitator from Rawalpindi, who had been living there for a month — in connection with the Judicial Complex bombing. The suspects, who surveyed the site multiple times before the attack, were moved to an undisclosed location for interrogation. On November 12, 2025, police arrested a motorcyclist, employed by an online service, who transported the bomber to the G-11 kutchery for a Rs200 fare. The attacker detonated himself near a police vehicle, setting cars ablaze and scattering debris. Safe City experts are tracking the bomber’s movements from Golra to the G-11 sector.