Kabul Points Finger at Pakistan’s ISI in Washington Shooting, Demands International Probe

KABUL – In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, the Taliban administration in Kabul has suggested that Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency may have been involved in the recent shooting incident in Washington D.C., calling for a neutral, international investigation to determine the true orchestrators of the attack.

The allegation, made directly by a senior Taliban spokesperson to international media, adds a complex, geopolitical dimension to the ongoing U.S. investigation and underscores the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the Taliban and their former patrons in Islamabad.

A “Staged” Operation to Frame Afghanistan?

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen, in an interview with CNN-News18, stated that his government “does not rule out any possibility” regarding the shooting near the White House. He specifically pointed to the potential involvement of “external intelligence networks” that he claimed are seeking to portray Afghanistan as a persistent global security threat.

“When such incidents happen, and fingers are pointed at us without evidence, we must look at who benefits,” Shaheen said. He alleged that the ISI could be attempting to “damage our reputation and sabotage our diplomatic efforts” at a time when the Taliban is cautiously seeking to expand its international legitimacy.

Tensions with Pakistan Reach a Boiling Point

The explosive accusation does not occur in a vacuum. It comes amidst a sharp and violent downturn in relations between Kabul and Islamabad:

• Cross-Border Accusations: Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harboring militants, specifically the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who launch cross-border attacks from Afghan soil.

• Military Escalation: Tensions recently boiled over into direct military action, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes inside eastern Afghanistan. Islamabad claimed it was targeting militant positions, but the Taliban condemned the strikes as a “brazen violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty” and warned of severe consequences if they were repeated.

• A New Diplomatic Front: Shaheen highlighted the Taliban’s warming informal ties with India—Pakistan’s historic rival—as a key motive for a potential false-flag operation. “They see that we are going closer to the world, including India, and they want to frame us,” he asserted.

Taliban Reiterates Policy, Urges Caution

Seeking to project an image of a responsible governing authority, Shaheen reiterated the Taliban’s longstanding policy. “Our policy is clear: we do not allow anyone to use Afghan soil for operations against any country,” he stated, a claim that is heavily disputed by the international community and its neighbors.

While stopping short of directly accusing the ISI, Shaheen insisted that a “sound conclusion” could only be reached after a “professional and neutral inquiry.” When asked directly if the ISI could have directed or influenced the attacker, he replied, “The possibility cannot be ruled out… One cannot say with certainty until all angles are examined.”

International Fallout and Scrutiny

The shooting has already had tangible international repercussions. Reports indicate that U.S. immigration authorities have tightened scrutiny on Afghan applicants in the wake of the attack.

When asked about this, Shaheen deferred to U.S. sovereignty, stating it was for Washington to decide its own procedures. He concluded with a blanket condemnation, a move likely aimed at distancing his government from the attack: “We condemn attacks on civilians anywhere in the world.”

The call for an international probe is set to further complicate the geopolitics of the region, forcing the United States to navigate a charged environment of mutual suspicion between two volatile actors as it seeks to uncover the truth behind the violence in its capital.

 

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