ISLAMABAD: A 19-year-old cadet of the Pakistan Military Academy, on leave from training in Kakul, was killed by militants on Friday while attending evening prayers at his hometown mosque in northwest Pakistan, according to a statement from the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The incident occurred in Lakki Marwat, a volatile district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, where militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have frequently targeted police precincts and checkpoints, killing several law enforcement personnel.
Pakistan’s western provinces of KP and Balochistan, which share borders with Afghanistan, have seen an increase in militant violence in recent months. While the armed factions operating in these regions pursue distinct political agendas, Pakistani officials assert they collaborate on certain operations.
Islamabad has also accused Afghan authorities of “facilitating” these groups, whose leadership is reportedly based across the border, to launch attacks in its territory. Afghan officials, however, deny these claims, saying that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter.
“On 25 October 2024, Khwarij [militants] attacked a Mosque in District Lakki Marwat during Maghrib [evening] Prayers,” the ISPR said in its statement. “Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah (under training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul & on leave at his hometown), was also present there, offering prayers in the same Mosque.”
“As soon as Khwarij started firing, he immediately responded and fought the khwarij bravely,” the statement added. “However, during the incident, Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah (Age 19 years) embarced Shahadat [martyrdom] sacrificing his life, while saving many innocent lives of worshippers.”
The ISPR said such acts of attacking worshippers in mosques reflected the ideology of the militants.
It also noted that the young cadet’s spirit of sacrifice also showed the dedication of Pakistani security forces who wanted to eliminate militant violence from the country.
Militants kill young army cadet during evening prayers in northwest Pakistan
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Militants kill young army cadet during evening prayers in northwest Pakistan
- Incident occurred when 19-year-old Arif Ullah was visiting his hometown on leave
- Military says the young PMA cadet fought back, saved worshippers during the attack
Afghan interior minister welcomes Pakistani scholars’ ‘positive’ remarks about Kabul
- Pakistani religious scholars on Dec. 23 called for easing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, resumption of trade
- Sirajuddin Haqqani says Afghanistan is committed to regional peace, Afghans have “no intentions to threaten anyone”
PESHAWAR: Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani recently thanked Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and religious scholars from the country for expressing positive statements for Kabul despite tensions between the two countries.
A meeting of religious scholars in Pakistan on Dec. 23, attended by Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan political party head Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, called for easing tensions between the two states. The scholars also called for allowing resumption of trade and movement of people between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani news media outlets reported on Saturday that Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, praised Haqqani’s earlier statement in which the Afghan minister stressed resolving tensions between Islamabad and Kabul through dialogue.
In a video statement on Sunday, Haqqani said Afghanistan is committed to peace and stability in the country and the region, adding that Afghans have “no intentions to threaten anyone.” He appreciated Rehman and religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani for speaking in a “positive” manner about Afghanistan in the Dec. 23 meeting.
“We are thankful and grateful for their approach and views,” Haqqani said.
“Similarly, we really appreciate the positive remarks by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who spoke in a positive way about Afghanistan.”
The Afghan minister’s statement comes in the backdrop of increased tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid a surge in militant attacks in the latter’s territory.
Pakistan blames Afghanistan’s government for facilitating attacks by the Pakistani Taliban or TTP group. Islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing TTP militants to take shelter in sanctuaries in Afghanistan from where they carry out attacks targeting Pakistan.
Kabul denies the charges and says it cannot be held responsible for security lapses and challenges in Pakistan.
The two countries engaged in fierce border clashes in October that led to the killings of dozens of soldiers and civilians on both sides. Pakistan and Afghanistan subsequently agreed to a temporary ceasefire and have held three rounds of peace talks that remained inconclusive.
Tensions persist as Pakistan has vowed to go after militants even in Afghanistan that threaten the lives of its citizens. Afghan officials have warned Pakistan of retaliation if it attacks Afghanistan.
