ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) on Thursday released a detailed report linking the recent Cadet College Wana attack directly to Afghan-based terrorists, highlighting a coordinated cross-border operation with alleged Indian agency involvement.
According to the MoIB, the assault on the South Waziristan college was “planned and controlled from Afghanistan” by operatives identified as Kharji Zahid and Kharji Noorwali Mehsud. The ministry said the attackers, all Afghan nationals, executed the strike with equipment supplied from Afghanistan, including American-made weapons.
“The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Jaish-ul-Hind under orders of Kharji Noor Wali Mehsud, who sought to obscure the involvement of Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP),” the report added.
It further accused the Afghan Taliban of pressuring the group not to publicly claim responsibility to avoid international scrutiny. The ministry claimed the assault aimed to amplify security concerns in Pakistan at the behest of the Indian intelligence agency RAW.
The attack on the college on Monday began with an attempted breach of perimeter security, which was repelled by Pakistan Army troops.
The attackers then rammed an explosives-laden vehicle against the main gate, causing structural collapse, before entering the facility. A clearance operation ensued, resulting in the deaths of at least two terrorists, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR stated that the militants maintained contact with Afghan-based handlers during the attack, underscoring a continued cross-border operational link. “This blatant act of barbarism orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan contrasts sharply with Afghan Taliban claims of the non-presence of such groups on their soil,” the military said.
Pakistan’s military compared the incident to the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, describing it as an attempt to instill fear among the region’s youth and disrupt access to education in tribal areas. The ISPR emphasized that the latest attack targets students striving for quality education and a better future, continuing a pattern of militant operations aimed at destabilizing civilian life.
The MoIB report also highlighted the Afghan connection in planning and execution, asserting that both the logistical support and final directives originated outside Pakistan. “The attack was planned in Afghanistan by Kharji Zahid with final approval by Kharji Noorwali Mehsud,” it said, noting that the attackers’ identities were confirmed through evidence gathered post-operation.
The release comes amid intensified counter-terrorism operations in North Waziristan and Dara Adam Khel, where Pakistani forces reportedly killed at least 20 militants. Analysts say these coordinated operations and evidence disclosure reflect Pakistan’s broader strategy to hold Afghan-based networks accountable and deter future cross-border attacks.
Officials also noted that the resurgence of militant activity follows the termination of the TTP ceasefire in November 2022, leading to increased attacks on security personnel and law enforcement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The MoIB and ISPR statements underline Pakistan’s position that the Wana attack was a premeditated, externally directed assault aimed at destabilizing national security and targeting educational institutions. Authorities have reiterated that both tactical and strategic responses against the perpetrators, including their Afghan-based leadership, remain a top priority.
