rki.news | Source: Dawn
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 24 — Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations in Afghanistan in response to drone incursions from Afghan territory, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday.
Tarar said the locations were used to launch and store drones and that the strikes targeted military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s air defence systems had detected, tracked and neutralised all drones that entered Pakistani airspace on Wednesday before they could reach their intended targets.
The minister said Pakistan had repeatedly raised concerns with the Afghan Taliban over terrorist groups and alleged sanctuaries operating from Afghan soil. He called for concrete, verifiable and sustained action to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
Tarar said Pakistan remained committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement but would defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens.
The latest strikes follow heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including cross-border attacks and earlier Pakistani strikes against alleged terrorist positions near the Afghan border.
According to security sources cited by Dawn, eight drones launched from Afghanistan entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat on Wednesday and were subsequently shot down. Pakistan also reported firing near Kurram as security forces dealt with an attempted militant crossing.
Pakistan’s latest action was described by Tarar as part of its ongoing counter-terrorism campaign, Ghazab lil Haq.
