Pakistan Shoots Down Eight Drones After Alleged Afghan Airspace Incursion

Pakistan’s air defence systems shot down eight drones after they allegedly entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, according to Pakistani security sources.

The sources said four drones were intercepted in areas near the Torkham border. The remaining four were brought down in mountainous areas near Kohat.

According to the sources, the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force detected all eight drones before they could reach their intended areas. They said the incident prevented an alleged attempt to target public places.

Pakistani security officials described the incident as further evidence of what they called Afghan Taliban support for militant groups. The Afghan Taliban has previously rejected Pakistani allegations that its territory is being used to support attacks against Pakistan.

Drone Incursion Reported Along Two Border Areas

The latest incident occurred amid renewed tensions along the western border.

Security sources said Pakistani forces had earlier foiled an infiltration attempt in the Kurram sector. They said the attempt involved militants crossing from Afghanistan.

According to the sources, the infiltration was launched from positions in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. Pakistani troops reportedly stopped the militants before they could cross the border.

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The sources also alleged that Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts after the failed infiltration attempt.

Pakistan said its forces responded with small and heavy weapons, including artillery. Security sources claimed that several Afghan Taliban positions and mortar sites were targeted.

Afghanistan has disputed Pakistani accounts of recent border exchanges. Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied that Taliban forces had shelled Pakistani border posts, according to an Associated Press report.

Pakistan Reports Earlier Drone Incidents

The latest drone incident follows previous reports of drones entering Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan.

In July, Pakistan said its security forces shot down four rudimentary drones launched from Afghanistan into Balochistan. Pakistani officials at the time also accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting militant groups.

Pakistan reported another drone incident in June. Officials said a rudimentary drone crossed into Pakistani airspace near Shinko in Khyber and was subsequently neutralised.

The repeated incidents have added to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Tensions Rise After Pakistan’s Airstrikes

The drone incident also comes two days after Pakistan announced airstrikes against militant sites in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry said the strikes targeted hideouts and safe havens linked to militant organisations. It said more than 28 militants were killed.

Afghan officials disputed Pakistan’s account. They said the strikes killed civilians, while the United Nations also confirmed three civilian deaths. The Taliban government condemned the strikes and described them as aggression.

The strikes followed a deadly attack in Kohat that killed security personnel and civilians. Pakistani authorities have linked the wider militant threat to groups operating from or connected to Afghanistan, while Kabul has rejected such accusations.

Air Defence Systems Remain on Alert

Pakistani security sources said the country’s air defence network remains operational along the western border.

They said the wreckage of the downed drones was being secured for further examination.

The latest incident highlights the continuing security tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Both sides have exchanged accusations over cross-border militancy and military action in recent days.

Pakistan’s security sources said the armed forces remain prepared to respond to further ground or aerial incursions.