President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned drone attacks carried out by Afghan Taliban elements targeting Pakistani civilian areas. He described the strikes as a dangerous provocation by an illegitimate regime that has crossed a “red line.”
The attacks caused injuries to four civilians. Two children were hurt in Quetta, while one person each was injured in Kohat and Rawalpindi. All received medical care and are reported to be in stable condition. The president expressed his best wishes for their speedy recovery.
In a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari criticized the Taliban for failing to honor their promises not to provide safe havens to terrorist groups. He said the regime’s actions show “audacity to provoke a major military power of the Islamic world.”
Zardari also highlighted the timing of the attacks, noting they occurred while Pakistan was engaged in diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the Gulf region and West Asia. He called the Taliban’s recent outreach to friendly nations hollow, as the attacks contradicted any claims of goodwill.
“The illegitimate and terrorist Taliban regime has brought grave consequences upon itself by crossing this red line,” he said. He emphasized that Pakistan will not tolerate its civilians being targeted and that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against neighboring countries.
The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to national security. He said the country’s armed forces and security agencies remain fully dedicated to defending Pakistan and protecting its citizens. Zardari echoed this sentiment in a post on X, saying the attacks would not go unanswered.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s military media wing, confirmed that the drones were intercepted before reaching their intended targets. Officials described the attack as a failed attempt to harass civilians. Despite the interceptions, debris from the drones caused injuries in multiple cities.
According to the ISPR, the military used a combination of defensive measures to neutralize the drones. While the debris caused minor injuries, the strikes did not hit any strategic or military installations. Two children in Quetta and one civilian each in Kohat and Rawalpindi were injured. All were treated promptly and are recovering well.
