KABUL: A gun attack was carried out against Pakistan’s diplomatic officials in Kabul, leaving a security guard seriously wounded.
The gun attack was carried out at a time when Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani was walking in the garden of Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul, sources said.
According to sources, multiple gunshots were fired on Pakistan’s embassy, however, Chargé d’Affaires Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani escaped unhurt.
A security guard received three bullets in his chest and was immediately shifted to the hospital for medical assistance.
Pakistan Embassy spokesperson Tahir Noorani told media that gunshots were fired by unidentified assailants from outside the building. He said that all diplomatic officials of the Pakistan Embassy were safe.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded an investigation into the attack and action against the attackers.
“I strongly condemn dastardly assassination attempt on Pakistan’s Head of Mission, Kabul,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
He saluted the brave security guard, who took a bullet to save Nizamani’s life.
“Prayers for the swift recovery of security guard. I demand immediate investigation & action against perpetrators of this heinous act,” he further said.
In a subsequent tweet, PM Shehbaz said that he has spoken to Nizamani and was relieved to hear that he is safe.
“I expressed solidarity of gov[ernmen]t & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts. I also conveyed prayers for swift recovery of brave security guard,” he also said.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi condemned the “failed” firing attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the security guard.
“IEA will not allow any malicious actors to pose a threat to the security of diplomatic missions in Kabul,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Our security will conduct a serious investigation, identify perpetrators & bring them to justice,” he further said.
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq took to Twitter to make the announcement.
“The compound of the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul came under attack today targeting Head of Mission, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani. By the grace of Allah Almighty, the Head of Mission is safe. However, a Pakistani security guard Sepoy Israr Mohammad has been critically injured in the attack while protecting the Head of Mission. The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the assassination attempt against the Head of Mission and the attack against the embassy compound in Kabul,” said the envoy.
