Pakistan has carried out aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan after eight drones entered Pakistani airspace from the Afghan side. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes took place on Thursday.
Pakistan said the targeted sites were linked to the drones involved in the attempted attacks. According to the government, some of these locations were being used to launch or store drones.
The strikes have further increased tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The two countries have already faced growing security concerns over cross-border militancy and the alleged use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan Responds After Eight Drones Are Shot Down
On Wednesday, Pakistani security sources said air defence systems detected and shot down eight drones that entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan.
Four drones were reportedly intercepted near the Torkham border. Meanwhile, Pakistani forces shot down four more in mountainous areas near Kohat.
According to Radio Pakistan, the incident followed an attempted infiltration in the Kurram sector. Pakistani authorities linked the infiltration attempt to militants they identify as Fitna-al-Khawarij.
Security sources also said Afghan positions opened fire on Pakistani border posts after the infiltration attempt was stopped. However, details about the exchange of fire remain limited.
According to Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan then targeted locations linked to the attempted drone attacks. He said the strikes focused on identified military targets and described the action as part of Pakistan’s right to self-defence.
Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Escalate
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory. However, Kabul has rejected these allegations.
The latest confrontation comes only days after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on September 21. Pakistan said those strikes killed 28 militants.
Afghan authorities, however, reported that three civilians were killed and four others were injured. The UN mission in Afghanistan also confirmed the reported civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied that Afghan Taliban forces had carried out attacks against Pakistan, according to international reports.
There was no immediate Afghan response to Thursday’s latest strikes at the time of publication. The situation remains developing as security tensions continue along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
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