Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has carried out precision aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations in Afghanistan in response to drone incursions from Afghan territory a day earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday.
In a statement posted on X, Tarar said the strikes were conducted as Pakistan’s sovereign right to self-defense. He said the targeted locations were being used to launch drones involved in the attempted attacks on Pakistan.
According to the minister, the strikes were “deliberate, precise, calibrated and proportionate” and were limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks.
Tarar condemned Wednesday’s drone incursion as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing it as an act of aggression. He said Pakistan had repeatedly conveyed concerns to the Afghan Taliban administration over militant groups and alleged terrorist sanctuaries operating from Afghan territory.
Read More: Eight Drones Launched by Afghan Taliban Shot Down Near Torkham, Kohat
He said that instead of taking action against such networks, Kabul had allowed the situation to escalate through hostile drone operations against Pakistan.
The minister said Pakistan’s air defense systems had detected, tracked and neutralised all the drones before they could reach their intended targets.
The Pakistani response followed the interception of eight drones that entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday. Security sources said four drones were brought down near the Torkham border, while another four were intercepted in mountainous areas near Kohat.
Tarar said Pakistan would not accept attacks originating from Afghan territory, whether carried out by militant groups or by the Afghan Taliban administration itself. He warned that further violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty would draw a response.
Read More: Beyond Border Strikes: Why Militancy Continues to Thrive in Afghanistan
He also called on Kabul to immediately halt hostile activity and take “concrete, verifiable and sustained action” against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
At the same time, Tarar said Pakistan remained committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement, stressing that Islamabad was not seeking escalation.
