Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes in 10 locations across Afghanistan in retaliation for drones launched from the neighboring country a day earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Thursday.
“In exercise of its sovereign right to self-defense, Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan used for launching and storing these drones,” he wrote on X, adding the strikes were “deliberate, precise, calibrated and proportionate, and strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan.”
Condemning Wednesday’s “deliberate and unlawful” drone incursion, Tarar called it a “blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He warned the drone attacks were a “grave and unacceptable act of aggression.”
The minister said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns to the Afghan Taliban over the terrorist elements emanating from Afghan soil and the presence of terrorist sanctuaries. Rather than dismantling these terrorist networks and taking action against them, he regretted, the Afghan Taliban chose to “escalate the situation through hostile drone operations against Pakistan.”
Tarar noted Pakistan’s air defense systems had “detected, tracked and neutralized all intruding platforms before they could reach any of their intended targets, comprehensively thwarting the attempted attack.” He stressed that Pakistan would “neither accept nor tolerate” attacks from Afghan territory, regardless of whether they were perpetrated by terrorist groups or the Afghan Taliban regime.
He warned against violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, vowing it would receive “an immediate and decisive response.” He stressed that “threats, denials or attempts to deflect responsibility by Afghan Taliban will neither alter the facts nor constrain Pakistan’s inherent right to defend its territory, its people and its national security.”
The minister reiterated Pakistan’s call for Afghanistan to immediately halt “hostile activity” and abide by international obligations “by taking effective, concrete, verifiable and sustained action against terrorist entities operating from Afghan soil.” Warning that Afghan territory should not be used for attacks against Pakistan, he maintained that Islamabad remained committed to “regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement” and was not seeking escalation. However, he warned, “this commitment must not be mistaken for weakness or an unlimited tolerance of hostile actions.”
Tarar said the country would defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of citizens with “full resolve and take all necessary measures to protect them.” He concluded his statement by reiterating warning of a firm and resolute response to any further provocation by the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan’s response followed the detection and downing of eight drones launched from Afghanistan toward Pakistan.