Kohat Blast Investigation Points to Afghanistan, Pakistan Says

The investigation into the Kohat blast has reportedly traced links to Afghanistan, with Pakistani authorities identifying the suicide bomber as Matiullah, an Afghan national. The identification of the bomber has been cited as evidence that Afghan territory is being used against Pakistan, while the process of identifying the second terrorist involved in the attack is still underway. Pakistani authorities also accused the Afghan Taliban spokesperson of making misleading claims to divert attention from allegations of support for terrorism. Meanwhile, five foreign militants were killed while attempting to infiltrate Pakistan through the Shawal area of South Waziristan after security forces detected the movement of Fitna al-Khawarij militants in time. Security forces had also restricted and repelled militant movement along the Kurram border the previous night.

According to a UN report cited by Pakistani authorities, more than 20 militant organizations are active in Afghanistan. A US publication has reported allegations that al-Qaeda, Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan are receiving training for cross-border terrorism. The President of the UN Security Council has called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to dismantle terrorist training centers and end their planning and support networks. Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong has also said that groups including Daesh, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan are active in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to take action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory and prevent their use of Afghanistan for attacks against neighboring countries.