At least four people, including two children, were injured after rudimentary drones launched by the Afghan Taliban were intercepted by Pakistani security forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

The drones, launched on Friday evening near Rawalpindi, were brought down before reaching their intended targets through a combination of electronic countermeasures and other interception techniques, the military’s media wing confirmed. Two children were injured in Quetta, while one civilian sustained injuries in Kohat and Rawalpindi due to debris from the drones.

“These attacks were aimed at inducing fear in the public and reminding us of the terrorist mindset which drives the Afghan Taliban,” the ISPR said. The statement added that while the Afghan Taliban attempt to project victimhood globally, they continue to target civilians through their proxies and drone operations.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, Pakistan’s ongoing military campaign against Afghan Taliban-linked groups, will continue until Islamabad’s concerns regarding terrorism originating from Afghan soil are addressed, the ISPR emphasised. “Pakistan’s Armed Forces shall not flinch in the face of such provocations and will continue defending the people of Pakistan,” it added.

The Ministry of Information described the drones as belonging to the banned group Fitna al-Khawarij, which is linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It said the drones caused only minor damage and that no military or civilian infrastructure was hit. Earlier claims by Afghan officials suggesting the drones targeted military installations were dismissed as “unverified and propaganda-driven,” the ministry said.

Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport were briefly adjusted following the drone incidents. The Pakistan Airports Authority later clarified that reports of airspace closure were baseless and that flights were operating as scheduled.

The drone attacks followed overnight airstrikes by Pakistani forces against Taliban positions and logistic installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said 70 terrorist-affiliated sites had been targeted, including camps directly supporting cross-border terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the drone attacks, calling them a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and a deliberate attempt to target civilians. “The Afghan terrorist regime crossed a red line,” he said, warning of grave consequences. The president also extended best wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured in Quetta, Kohat, and Rawalpindi.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Afghan Taliban’s inaction against terrorist groups has led to repeated cross-border attacks. Previous clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in October 2025 resulted in over 200 Taliban-linked militants killed, and 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred defending border posts.

© Naya Daur