**Pakistan Strikes Drone Launchpads Inside Afghanistan Amid Rising Tensions**
*Islamabad, Pakistan – September 24, 2026*
In a significant escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes inside Afghan territory early Thursday morning. This action was reportedly in response to a drone incursion from Afghanistan that occurred the previous day.
According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the strikes targeted ten locations believed to be used for launching and storing drones that had crossed into Pakistan on September 23. While Tarar did not disclose the specific locations of the strikes, he emphasized that Pakistan’s air defense systems successfully neutralized all intruding platforms before they could reach any intended targets.
The minister described the military response as "deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate," asserting that it was strictly limited to military objectives directly associated with the attempted drone attacks.
As of now, Afghan authorities have not provided an official response regarding the airstrikes or any potential damage caused within their territory. However, the situation remains tense, with a history of mutual accusations between the two nations.
In recent months, militant activities have surged in Pakistan's border regions, prompting Islamabad to accuse the Afghan government of harboring militants. In retaliation, Pakistan has launched strikes inside Afghanistan, claiming these actions are necessary to counter the threats posed by these groups.
Earlier in the week, Pakistan targeted alleged militant hideouts in Afghanistan following a devastating car-bomb attack on a mosque located within a police facility in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 18, which resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals. Pakistani officials reported that the strikes in the Nurgal district of Kunar province and the Barmal district of Paktika province killed 28 militants. However, the Taliban government in Afghanistan claimed that three civilians, including a woman, were among the casualties.
In light of the ongoing violence, Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s stance, stating that the country would "neither accept nor tolerate attacks launched from Afghan territory, whether by terrorist groups or by the Afghan Taliban regime itself." He called on the Taliban government to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan and warned against any further provocations.
The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains precarious, with both nations grappling with the implications of rising militancy and cross-border attacks. As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring stability to the region.
As of now, the potential for further military engagements remains high, and both governments face pressure to address the underlying issues contributing to the conflict.