Pakistan’s Army and Air Force shot down eight drones allegedly launched by Afghan Taliban forces, four near Kohat and four near Torkham.
Officials said the drones were rudimentary and caused no damage. The interception followed what Pakistani troops described as a failed infiltration attempt by militants near border posts in Paktia and Nangarhar.
After the attempt was blocked, Afghan Taliban units reportedly fired mortars and heavy weapons at Pakistani border posts. Pakistani forces retaliated with artillery, targeting Taliban positions and forcing them to retreat. Islamabad accused Kabul of backing the Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban government denied involvement, calling the accusations baseless.
The latest flare‑up came days after Pakistani airstrikes in Kunar and Paktika, which Islamabad said killed 28 militants. Afghan authorities and the UN confirmed civilian casualties, prompting Kabul’s protest. The violence has ruptured weeks of relative calm and deepened tensions between the two neighbours.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised concerns at the UN General Assembly over militant groups operating from Afghan soil. Recent attacks in Kohat and Hangu, including a suicide bombing and a 20‑hour gun battle at a police compound, underscore the escalating threat. Regional mediation efforts by China, Turkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia face fresh strain as cross‑border clashes intensify.
