Pakistan says it intercepted eight drones entering from Afghanistan before striking 10 locations allegedly linked to their launch and storage.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has carried out precision strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan after detecting and intercepting drones that Islamabad said entered its airspace from Afghan territory, sharply escalating tensions between the two neighbours.
In a statement issued Thursday, Pakistan strongly condemned what it described as an unlawful drone incursion and said its air defence systems detected, tracked and intercepted the incoming drones before they could reach their intended targets.
Security sources had earlier said eight drones entering Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan were shot down. Four were intercepted near the Torkham border, while four others were brought down in mountainous areas near Kohat.
Pakistan said it subsequently conducted aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan that it identified as sites used for launching and storing the drones. Islamabad described the strikes as targeted and limited to military objectives it said were directly connected with the attempted attacks.
The Pakistani government said it had repeatedly raised concerns with the Afghan Taliban authorities over what it alleges are terrorist sanctuaries and support networks operating from Afghan soil.
According to Islamabad, instead of taking what Pakistan considers credible and verifiable action against such networks, the Afghan Taliban had escalated tensions through hostile activities.
Pakistan warned that attacks originating from Afghan territory would not be tolerated and said any further violation of its sovereignty would draw a response. It also rejected what it described as attempts by the Afghan Taliban to deny or shift responsibility for the incidents.
The statement called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to end hostile activities against Pakistan and take concrete, verifiable and sustained measures against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
At the same time, Islamabad said it did not seek escalation and remained committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement. Pakistan stressed, however, that its stated commitment to dialogue should not be interpreted as acceptance of further attacks.
About The Author
