ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday shot down eight drones after they entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan, security sources said.
The sources said the armed forces’ air defence system detected all eight drones in time and intercepted them, foiling the attempted intrusion.
They said the air defence system deployed along the Pak-Afghan border and operated by the Pakistan Air Force remains fully operational and ready round the clock.
Four drones were brought down in areas adjacent to the Torkham border, while the remaining four were shot down in mountainous areas near Kohat.
The wreckage of the downed drones is being recovered and taken into custody, the sources added.
The sources said the intrusion was evidence of the Afghan Taliban regime’s direct support and patronage of terrorists, describing it as a “cowardly attempt” that was successfully thwarted by the armed forces.
Separately, sources said security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by Fitna al-Khawarij militants from Afghanistan into the Kurram sector last night.
The sources said the infiltration attempt was made under the supervision of the Afghan Taliban from posts located in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, but was effectively repulsed by Pakistani troops deployed along the border.
Following the failed infiltration bid, the Afghan Taliban opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border posts using heavy weapons, mortars and other arms, the sources added.
Security forces responded by targeting multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive locations with small and heavy weapons, including artillery.
The development came two days after Pakistan carried out an intelligence-based ground operation and airstrikes targeting militant safe havens in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including in the border region with Afghanistan, the Ministry of Information said on Monday.
The action was taken in the aftermath of recent multiple terrorist incidents, including deadly Kohat attacks that claimed the lives of at least 22 people, including police personnel.
“A well planned intelligence-based ground operation was carried out by security forces around Kohat, Hangu and Thal, followed by calibrated air strikes against the hideouts and safe havens of terrorists organisations responsible for these attacks,” the ministry announced in a post on X.
The ministry said security forces conducted the IBO and targeted the safe havens of militant organisations responsible for a spate of attacks across KP, which had resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and security personnel.
The ground operation against a group of militants was conducted on September 20 in Kohat and Hangu districts, resulting in the killing of nine militants and injuries to several others, it added.
“Moreover, based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Fitna al khwarij and its affiliates has also been carried out in the border region with Afghanistan with precision and accuracy,” the ministry said.
It added that three targets were destroyed, including a suicide bomber training centre, killing 28 militants, along with several suicide bombers.
