Pakistan strikes 10 Afghanistan locations after drone intrusion

On 23 September 2026, a series of drone incursions from Afghan territory into Pakistani airspace prompted Pakistan to launch precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Thursday. The strikes were carried out in response to what Pakistan described as a "deliberate and unlawful incursion" aimed at launching and storing drones.

Security sources reported that eight drones were shot down by Pakistan's air defense systems in areas adjacent to the Torkham border and mountainous regions near the border with Kohat. The remaining two drones were prevented from reaching their targets due to Pakistan's detection and neutralization of the intruding platforms.

Tarar stated that the targeted sites in Afghanistan were used for launching and storing drones, and that Pakistan's air defense systems had detected and tracked all drones before they could reach their intended targets. The minister emphasized that the strikes were "deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate," strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan.

The drone incursion on 23 September was deemed a "blatant violation" of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Tarar. Pakistan had previously warned the Afghan Taliban regime about the presence of terrorist sanctuaries and support networks on Afghan soil, urging the regime to dismantle these networks and take action against those using Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan.

Tarar called on the Afghan Taliban regime to immediately cease all hostile activities against Pakistan and take concrete, verifiable, and sustained actions against terrorist entities operating from Afghan soil. He warned that Pakistan would not tolerate attacks launched from Afghan territory, either by terrorist groups or by the Afghan Taliban regime itself.

Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, dialogue, and constructive engagement was reaffirmed, but the minister made clear that Pakistan would defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the lives of its citizens with full resolve and employ all necessary measures to protect them.