Eight drones shot down after entering Pakistan from Afghanistan: security sources

Pakistan's air defense system intercepted and neutralized eight drones that infiltrated the country's airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, according to security sources. Four of the drones were brought down near the Torkham border, while the remaining four were shot down in mountainous areas close to the border with Kohat.

The Pakistan Army and Air Force successfully thwarted an attempt by the Afghan Taliban regime to target public locations, noting that the country's vigilant air defense system detected and eliminated all eight drones. Security sources emphasized that the drone incursion served as further proof of the Afghan Taliban regime's direct support for terrorists, and that the Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully prepared to defend Pakistan and its citizens.

Earlier in the day, security forces successfully prevented a terrorist infiltration attempt by members of Fitna al-Khawarij, a group affiliated with the banned TTP, from crossing into the Kurram sector from Afghanistan. The infiltration attempt was thwarted after Pakistani troops responded promptly to firing from Afghan Taliban posts.

Following the drone attack, the Afghan Taliban opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border posts using heavy weapons, mortars, and other arms, to which security forces responded effectively. The Pakistan Air Force's surveillance and defense systems along the border remained fully operational to detect and counter any further incursions.

The downed drones were subsequently taken into custody, and the developments highlighted the Afghan Taliban's heightened state of panic. The incident occurred just two days after Pakistan carried out "calibrated" air strikes against terrorist hideouts near the Afghan border, resulting in the deaths of 37 terrorists and the destruction of weapons and ammunition.

The strike targeted a training center for suicide bombers in Kohat and Hangu districts, and followed a deadly mosque bombing in Kohat that killed 23 people, including 15 police personnel. Pakistan's Information Ministry blamed the attack on "the vilest of Khwarij with roots in Afghanistan" and called for the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban regime to address terrorism.