Pakistan strikes 10 sites in Afghanistan after accusing Kabul of launching drone attacks

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026.

Pakistan's air force bombed 10 locations across Afghanistan's Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces on Thursday, targeting sites it says were used to store and launch drones against Pakistani territory the previous day. Kabul says the strikes killed four civilians. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied his government launched any drones and warned the strikes would "have adverse consequences for the Pakistani military."

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were "limited to identified military objectives" and vowed a "firm and resolute response" to any further provocation.

The strikes come in the wake of a raid on a police facility in northwestern Pakistan last week that left at least 24 people dead, reigniting the border conflict after roughly three months during which tensions had largely eased.

Pakistan also claimed earlier this week to have killed 28 militants in a separate cross-border strike, exposing a rapid and dangerous escalation between the two Muslim neighbours.