パキスタン、バンヌ自爆攻撃でアフガン外交官を呼び抗議

Pakistan reportedly summoned a senior Afghan diplomat on May 11 and lodged a formal protest over a suicide attack in Bannu in the northwest that killed 15 police officers.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the Pakistani side says its investigation and technical intelligence led it to judge that the attack was planned by militants based inside Afghanistan.

Islamabad also reportedly said it reserves the right to respond firmly against those responsible for acts like this one.

Reports say a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle near a security post, after which armed men joined in and a firefight followed.

Local police say some officers were killed in the firefight, while others died when part of the building collapsed. Four people were also reported wounded.

Pakistan has long accused the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, of preparing attacks from the Afghan side. Kabul, by contrast, reportedly denies allowing its territory to be used for attacks on other countries.

This protest is seen as another sign of deep mistrust between the two neighbors. How to manage security in the border region is likely to remain a major point of contention.

Reports say relations between Islamabad and Kabul worsened after cross-border clashes since late February, with many deaths reported.

Although Afghan Taliban officials and Pakistani authorities reportedly held talks in early April with China's mediation, sporadic clashes are said to have continued afterward.

Attention is likely to focus on whether the two sides strengthen intelligence sharing and border monitoring, or whether the exchange of accusations continues.