ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Wednesday that it had shot down four drones allegedly launched by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan border, accusing Kabul of supporting militant groups involved in cross-border attacks.
In a statement, the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said Pakistan’s air defence system detected and intercepted all four drones before they could reach their intended targets.
What did the military say?
According to the ISPR, the drones were “rudimentary” aerial platforms allegedly launched by the Afghan Taliban as part of what it described as support for terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory.
The military said Pakistan’s air defence network responded immediately and neutralised all four drones using countermeasures.
“Due to the swift and effective response, the malicious attempts were effectively thwarted,” the statement said.
How did Pakistan respond?
The ISPR warned that any cross-border provocation threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty would receive a “swift, decisive and overwhelming” response under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq.
The military also urged the Afghan Taliban to stop supporting militant groups and adopt peaceful coexistence, warning that continued provocations would carry consequences.
What is the broader context?
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained over Pakistan’s repeated allegations that militant groups use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban have previously denied allowing Afghan soil to be used against neighbouring countries.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in militant attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Most recently, Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned Afghanistan’s Charge d’Affaires following an attack on a Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi that killed three Rangers personnel. Pakistani authorities said Afghan nationals, including one suspect arrested alive, were involved in the assault.