Pakistan closes consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif after terror bid foiled: FO

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan closed its consulate in Afghanistan’s Mazar-e-Sharif after a woman tried to take a hand grenade into the premises, the foreign office said on Sunday.

The suspect had concealed the explosives in her personal bag, according to a FO statement.

She was taken into custody by the Afghan authorities with a probe underway to bring to book those behind the failed terrorist attack.

Islamabad has urged the Afghan government to provide a foolproof security to the consulate. The government has also asked for the investigation’s findings to be shared with them at the earliest.

The consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif will remain closed for visa services till the provision of foolproof security by the authorities to prevent any untoward incident from happening in the future.

The incident comes a day after the United State negotiators and the Afghan Taliban admitted “progress on vital issues” in their talks in Qatar, albeit the insurgents said there was no agreement on ceasefire or talks with the Afghan government, which they deride as American puppet.

US chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad held negotiations with Taliban representatives at their political office in Doha for six days, much longer than planned and longer than any previous attempt to end the bloody conflict.

The latest development hinted that the longest, deadliest, and costliest war in the American history might be coming to an end as the two sides appear to be edging towards a peace deal.