Pakistan’s security forces on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) shot down eight drones allegedly launched from Afghanistan after they entered Pakistani airspace, security sources said, as fresh clashes along the border added to tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Four drones were brought down near the Torkham border and another four in mountainous areas near Kohat in northwest Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the sources said. Some of the drones were described as rudimentary models, with those detected near Kohat neutralised through a “soft-kill” operation, the sources said. The drone incident came amid fresh exchanges of fire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after Pakistani officials said security forces had foiled an infiltration attempt by militants from areas near Afghan border posts in Paktia and Nangarhar provinces. Afghan Taliban forces subsequently fired mortars and other heavy weapons at Pakistani border posts, prompting Pakistani troops to respond with artillery fire targeting Taliban posts, mortar sites and defensive positions, according to Pakistani officials.
Afghanistan denied Pakistan’s claim, with the Taliban government rejecting allegations that Afghan Taliban forces had attacked Pakistani positions. Afghan authorities disputed the account, saying at least three civilians were killed and four others wounded in villages in Afghan territory. Pakistan’s Information Ministry said on Monday (September 21, 2026) that 28 militants, including several suicide bombers, were killed in the strikes.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed concern over what he said was the presence of more than two dozen anti-Pakistani militant groups in Afghanistan.
