Pakistan downs eight Afghan drones in major border response

Pakistan’s armed forces shot down eight drones that entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan near the Torkham border and Kohat on Wednesday, according to security sources.

The sources said Pakistan’s air defence systems detected and intercepted all eight drones. Four were brought down in areas close to the Torkham border, while the remaining four were intercepted near Kohat.

Security sources described the response as a successful effort by the armed forces and Pakistan Air Force to prevent the drones from reaching populated areas. They said the country’s air defence remains on high alert and is monitoring threats along the western border.

Earlier, two rudimentary drones had also been shot down around seven kilometres from Kohat city, according to security sources.

The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following a series of terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan recently carried out what officials described as calibrated airstrikes against militant hideouts and safe havens in the border region.

The government said more than 28 terrorists were killed in those strikes. Earlier, security forces had conducted an intelligence-based ground operation in Kohat and Hangu on September 20, killing nine militants, according to official statements.

The escalation followed a major attack on the Police Lines in Kohat, which left 23 people dead and around 100 others injured. Eight attackers were killed during the subsequent clearance operation.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban administration to take concrete action against militant groups operating from its territory, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also raised the issue during an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting, urging measures that would prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries.

Pakistan has told the United Nations Security Council that it reserves the right to respond to threats originating from Afghanistan in self-defence and in accordance with international law.

The Foreign Office has also said that progress in relations with Kabul will depend on verifiable action against the TTP and other militant organisations operating from Afghan soil.

According to a UN Security Council-mandated monitoring report covering December 2025 to June 2026, continued support for the TTP from elements within the Afghan Taliban has contributed to an increase in the frequency and severity of militant attacks in Pakistan. The report also identified operational and facilitation links among the TTP, Al Qaeda, Islamic State-Khorasan and the Baloch Liberation Army.