SLAMABAD: Pakistan’s armed forces on Wednesday shot down eight drones after they entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan near the Torkham border and Kohat, according to security sources.
The sources said Pakistan’s air defence systems detected and intercepted all eight drones, with four brought down in areas adjoining the Torkham border and four others in mountainous areas near Kohat.
They said the armed forces and Pakistan Air Force had thwarted what they described as an attempt by the Afghan Taliban authorities to target public areas.
The sources described the air defence system as “active and vigilant” and said it remained on round-the-clock alert to counter threats.
Drone Incursion
According to the sources, two of the drones were earlier described as “rudimentary” and were brought down using what they called “soft skill” methods about seven kilometres from Kohat city.
The sources said that the latest incursion was another indication of what they described as direct support and patronage for terrorist groups by the Afghan Taliban authorities.
They said the armed forces remained prepared to respond to any threat emanating from across the western border.
Recent Strikes
The development comes two days after Pakistan conducted what authorities described as calibrated airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan following recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to Pakistan’s Information Ministry, more than 28 terrorists were killed in those strikes. The ministry said Afghanistan continued to pose a security challenge to Pakistan and described the threat as emanating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan’s security forces had also conducted an intelligence-based ground operation in Kohat and Hangu districts, during which nine terrorists were killed, according to the ministry.
Security sources further said Pakistani forces had destroyed several positions and hideouts of the Afghan Taliban in the Kurram sector in response to what they described as provocative firing from across the border.
