Muhammad Amanullah
Date: September 24, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Pakistan has strongly condemned what it described as an unlawful incursion by drones launched from Afghan territory, saying the incident constituted a serious violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the country’s air defence systems detected, tracked and neutralised all the intruding drones before they could reach their intended targets.
Tarar said that, in response, Pakistan exercised what it described as its sovereign right to self-defence and carried out aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan allegedly used to launch and store the drones. (Radio Pakistan)
Pakistan Says Drone Incursion Was Thwarted
In a statement posted on X, Tarar said the drone incursion from Afghan territory was deliberate and unlawful.
He said Pakistan’s air defence systems successfully detected and tracked the incoming platforms and neutralised them before they could reach their intended targets.
Pakistan described the subsequent strikes inside Afghanistan as deliberate, precise and proportionate, saying they were limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan. (Radio Pakistan)
Eight Drones Shot Down a Day Earlier
The latest development followed the reported downing of eight drones on September 23 after they entered Pakistani airspace from the Afghan side.
According to Pakistani security sources cited by Radio Pakistan, four drones were shot down in areas adjoining the Torkham border, while another four were brought down in mountainous areas along the border near Kohat. (Radio Pakistan)
Pakistan said the incident represented another indication of what its security sources described as support for militant activity from Afghan territory.
Ten Locations Targeted in Afghanistan
Pakistan said its response targeted locations allegedly being used for the launching and storage of drones involved in attacks against the country.
The government said the operation covered 10 locations in Afghanistan and was restricted to military targets that it said were directly connected to the attempted drone attacks.
Tarar maintained that Pakistan’s response was aimed at protecting its territory and national security.
Pakistan Says Concerns Were Repeatedly Conveyed to Taliban Government
Pakistan said it had repeatedly raised concerns with the Afghan Taliban government and its interlocutors over the presence of terrorist sanctuaries and support networks on Afghan soil.
According to the Pakistani position, the authorities in Afghanistan had been urged to take credible and verifiable action against groups allegedly using Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.
Tarar said Pakistan would not accept attacks launched from Afghan territory, whether carried out by militant groups or by the Afghan Taliban government itself. (Radio Pakistan)
Earlier Cross-Border Military Action
The latest strikes came amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
On September 21, Pakistan said it had carried out airstrikes against three targets in Afghanistan and reported that 28 militants had been killed. Reuters reported that Afghan Taliban officials and the United Nations subsequently said that three civilians were killed in those strikes, while the Taliban government condemned the operation. (Reuters)
The developments have followed a period of increased cross-border violence and mutual accusations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban authorities.
Pakistan Warns Against Further Attacks
Pakistan has said that any further violation of its sovereignty would receive what it described as an immediate and decisive response.
Tarar also said that threats, denials or attempts to shift responsibility would not affect Pakistan’s stated right to defend its territory, population and national security. (Radio Pakistan)
Islamabad Calls for Action Against Militant Groups
Pakistan has called on the Afghan Taliban government to immediately stop hostile activities against Pakistan and fulfil what Islamabad described as Afghanistan’s international obligations.
The Pakistani government has also demanded effective, concrete, verifiable and sustained action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan has maintained that Afghan soil should not be used to launch attacks or conduct hostile operations against the country.
Pakistan Says It Does Not Seek Escalation
Despite the strong warning, Pakistan said it does not seek further escalation and remains committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement.
Tarar said, however, that Islamabad’s commitment to dialogue should not be interpreted as weakness or as an acceptance of unlimited hostile activity.
Pakistan said it would continue taking measures it considers necessary to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens.
The latest developments come as Pakistan and Afghanistan face continuing security tensions, with both sides exchanging allegations over cross-border militant activity and military operations.
