Eight drones from Afghanistan downed along Pakistan border

Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force air defence systems shot down eight drones that attempted to enter Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, security sources told Aaj News. The sources said the drones were detected while still in the air and destroyed before they could reach their targets, describing the operation as timely and highly professional. UrduPoint also reported the same development, saying four drones were downed near Torkham and four near Kohat.

According to the security sources cited by Aaj News, the eight drones were split into two groups and engaged at two locations. Four were brought down in border areas adjacent to Torkham, and the other four were shot down in a mountain range adjoining Kohat. The drones were described as unidentified, and the sources did not specify their size, payload or exact launch point. The air defence systems involved were described as modern and alert.

The intended targets of the drones included public places and sensitive installations, the sources said. They added that the air defence forces' immediate response foiled the attempt and that all eight drones were destroyed before they could cause harm. The available account did not mention any casualties or damage on the ground and did not say whether any wreckage had been recovered or examined.

Aaj News quoted security sources as saying the cross-border infiltration was proof of the Afghan Taliban government's direct patronage of illegal elements and terrorist groups. The same report said the episode came a day after Pakistani forces returned fire in the Kurram sector in response to what it called unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban, destroying several forward posts and hideouts across the border.

Military leadership said the armed forces and air force remained fully prepared and alert at all times to defend the country's borders and people, the report added. No statement from Afghan authorities was immediately available in the source material. UrduPoint's headline described the incident as a failed Afghan Taliban infiltration.