Pakistan’s air defence system intercepted and brought down eight drones that entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan, according to security sources.
The sources said all eight drones were detected and intercepted in time. Four drones were brought down near the Torkham border, while four others were intercepted in mountainous areas near Kohat.
The wreckage of the drones is being recovered and taken into custody, the sources said.
According to security sources, the drones were launched from positions in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. The sources said the attempted intrusion was intercepted before the drones could reach their intended targets.
Separately, security sources said security forces also foiled an infiltration attempt by militants entering from Afghanistan into the Kurram sector.
Following the failed infiltration attempt, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts using heavy weapons and mortars, according to the sources. Pakistani security forces responded by targeting Afghan Taliban border positions, mortar locations and defensive posts with small arms, heavy weapons and artillery.
The latest developments come two days after Pakistan announced intelligence-based operations and airstrikes against militant hideouts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the border region with Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said a ground operation in Kohat and Hangu on September 20 resulted in nine militants being killed and several others injured.
The ministry also said three militant targets were destroyed in the border region, including a suicide bomber training centre, and claimed that 28 militants and several suicide bombers were killed.
The incidents come amid heightened security tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and continued concerns over cross-border militant activity.