The Afghan government has suggested that the recent deadly attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul was pre-planned and masterminded by Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The National Security Council (NSC), which is chaired by President Hamid Karzai, said the attack was in fact the work of “foreign intelligence services” -- a phrase normally meant to mean neighboring Pakistan.
“Witness testimony and preliminary information analysis shows that this terrorist attack was directly executed or carried out by foreign intelligence services outside the country,” the statement read.
“Another information of the NDS (National Directorate of Security) shows that earlier when one Pakistani diplomat entered the Kabul-Serena hotel to use its sport club, he filmed the corridors of the hotel which the hotel staff raised objections to,” the statement added.
The raid on Serena Hotel, a prestigious venue favored by foreign visitors to Kabul, took place during the late hours of Thursday. Six other people were wounded in the assault.
The relations between Kabul and Islamabad are also traditionally mired in distrust. Afghanistan and Pakistan blame each other for the Taliban violence plaguing both countries.
Tensions between the two neighbors have risen in recent weeks. Afghanistan blames elements within the Pakistani government for supporting Taliban militants, while Islamabad blames Kabul for giving refuge to militants on its side of the border.
The US invaded Afghanistan with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the region. However, after more than twelve years the region remains unstable and militancy has expanded into Pakistan.
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