Pakistan Downs Taliban Drones, Vows Continued Operation
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s security forces intercepted a number of rudimentary drones allegedly launched by the Afghan Taliban on Friday, preventing them from reaching their intended targets, according to the military’s media wing.
In a statement issued early Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the drones were neutralised through a combination of electronic countermeasures and direct engagement.
“The drones were intercepted through soft and hard kills and did not reach their intended targets,” the statement said.
Despite the successful interception, debris from the downed drones injured two children in Quetta and one civilian each in Kohat and Rawalpindi.
Military accuses Taliban of targeting civilians
The military described the drone activity as an attempt to spread fear among the public and criticised the Afghan Taliban leadership for what it called a contradictory posture.
“On one hand, the Afghan Taliban project victimhood to garner global sympathy, while on the other hand they actively target civilians through their terrorist proxies and their drones,” the statement said.
It added that Pakistan’s people and armed forces fully recognise the intentions of what it termed a “terrorist militia-for-hire” ruling Afghanistan.
Operation to continue
The ISPR reiterated that Operation Ghazab lil-Haq would continue until Pakistan’s concerns regarding terrorism originating from Afghan soil are addressed.
“The Armed Forces stand steadfast in the fight against terrorism and its manifestations, like the drone attacks by the Afghan Taliban,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan would continue defending its citizens against terrorists and their facilitators.
Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Pakistan) said on social media that the drones had been neutralised using electronic countermeasures and that no military installations were hit.
The ministry also rejected claims circulating from Taliban-linked accounts, saying the Afghan authorities had presented no verifiable evidence to support their allegations and were known for spreading misinformation online.
Brief confusion over airport operations
Separately, the Pakistan Airports Authority clarified that flight operations at Islamabad International Airport remained normal after a brief online post caused confusion about possible airspace restrictions.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/islamabad-airspace-fully-open-closure-reports-false/
The authority later described reports of Islamabad’s airspace closure as “baseless” and confirmed that all flights were operating according to schedule.
Rising cross-border tensions
Security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with Pakistan reporting a surge in cross-border militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq has so far killed more than 650 Afghan Taliban fighters, injured over 800 and destroyed 249 checkposts.
Security sources say Pakistan has also conducted airstrikes against militant hideouts linked to Islamic State – Khorasan Province and groups described by authorities as Fitna al Khawarij, targeting camps in Nangarhar Province, Paktika Province and Khost Province.
Despite several rounds of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, tensions persist, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Taliban administration of failing to act against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
