ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed eight drones that crossed into the country’s airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday, security sources said.
According to the sources, the drones were detected by air defence units deployed along the Pak-Afghan frontier before they could penetrate further into Pakistani territory.
Four of the drones were shot down near the Torkham border area, while another four were intercepted in mountainous terrain around Kohat. Security personnel were also recovering the wreckage of the downed drones, the sources said.
They added that the Pakistan Air Force’s air defence network along the western border remains operational around the clock to detect and counter any aerial intrusion.
The sources alleged that the drone incursion reflected the Afghan Taliban administration’s support for militant groups, calling the episode an attempt that was successfully thwarted by Pakistan’s armed forces.
Militants attempt infiltration in Kurram
Separately, security forces repelled an attempted cross-border infiltration by Fitna al-Khawarij militants in the Kurram sector during the night, according to the sources.
They said the militants attempted to enter Pakistan from positions in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, allegedly with the support of the Afghan Taliban.
After the infiltration attempt was foiled, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani border positions with mortars, heavy weapons and other arms, the sources claimed.
Pakistani troops responded with small and heavy weapons, including artillery, targeting several Afghan Taliban positions, mortar sites and defensive installations, they added.
Recent military operations in KP
The latest developments came two days after Pakistan announced a major intelligence-based operation and precision airstrikes against militant hideouts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and areas along the Afghan border.
The Ministry of Information said on Monday that the operation followed a series of terrorist attacks, including deadly incidents in Kohat that killed at least 22 people, among them police personnel.
According to the ministry, security forces conducted a ground operation in Kohat, Hangu and Thall, followed by calibrated airstrikes against militant hideouts and safe havens.
The ground operation, carried out on September 20, resulted in the deaths of nine militants and injuries to several others, the ministry said.
It further said intelligence-based strikes were conducted against camps and hideouts of Fitna al-Khawarij and affiliated groups in the border region with Afghanistan.
Three targets, including a facility used for suicide bomber training, were destroyed, with 28 militants and several suicide bombers killed, according to the ministry.
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