Pakistan Shoots Down Four Afghan Drones, Warns of Decisive Response: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – Pakistan’s armed forces on Wednesday said they intercepted and destroyed four drones that entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan over Balochistan, warning that any future cross-border provocations would receive a “befitting response.”

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drones were detected immediately by Pakistan’s air defence network after crossing the international border on Tuesday. The military said all four unmanned aerial platforms were successfully neutralized using advanced countermeasures before they could pose any threat.

In an official statement, the ISPR alleged that the drones had been launched from Afghan territory and accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of supporting militant groups operating against Pakistan.

“The hostile aerial platforms were immediately picked up by Pakistan’s robust air defence network. Demonstrating high operational readiness, security forces successfully neutralized all four incoming drones,” the military said, adding that the attempted intrusion was effectively thwarted.

The military further stated that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and warned that any future misadventures or cross-border provocations would be met with “swift, decisive and overwhelming responses” under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq.

The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul following recent cross-border military actions. The Afghan defence ministry said it had conducted aerial operations targeting alleged militant hideouts in Pakistan’s border regions, claiming the strikes targeted members of the Islamic State (IS) group.

Pakistan, however, denied that its territory is being used by IS militants and dismissed the Afghan claims, accusing Kabul of attempting to divert attention from its internal challenges.

The drone incident follows days of escalating hostilities between the two neighbours. Earlier this week, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, saying it targeted militant infrastructure. Afghan authorities reported civilian casualties, while the United Nations said at least 28 civilians were killed and dozens injured.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens to militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegations that Kabul continues to reject.