KABUL: Former Afghan Taliban minister Mawlawi Abdul Kabir has reportedly defended the deadly attack on a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines in Pakistan, describing the assault as permissible under his interpretation of jihad.
According to the reported remarks, Kabir claimed that attacks against Pakistan could be carried out even inside mosques and praised the militants who carried out the Kohat assault.
The reported comments have added further tension to already strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration following the deadly attack. The bombing at the Kohat Police Lines mosque occurred during Friday prayers and resulted in deaths and injuries among security personnel and civilians.
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory and has called on the Taliban administration to take action against groups involved in attacks targeting Pakistan.
Kabir’s reported remarks have also drawn attention because of their implications for the broader debate over militant violence and the use of religious justification for attacks against civilians and security personnel.
The Kohat attack has become a major point of contention between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistani authorities demanding concrete action against those responsible and the Taliban administration facing renewed scrutiny over its position on armed groups operating in the region.
The reported statement could further complicate diplomatic efforts between the two sides as tensions continue over cross-border militancy and security.