Pakistan intercepts two drones launched by terrorist group, says information ministry

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday said the country’s security forces had intercepted two rudimentary drones allegedly operated by a terrorist group it said was backed by the Afghan Taliban.

In a statement issued as part of a fact-check, the ministry said the drones were neutralised using electronic countermeasures before they could hit any significant target.

According to the ministry, no military or critical infrastructure was struck during the incident. It said only minor damage occurred due to debris after the drones were forced to crash.

The statement accused the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan of supporting terrorist proxies involved in cross-border activities. It also alleged that Kabul’s claims about the incident were not backed by verifiable evidence.

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The ministry further said social media accounts linked to the Taliban authorities had previously circulated what it described as misinformation, including claims that Afghan forces had shot down aircraft belonging to the Pakistan Air Force and captured pilots — assertions that were later withdrawn.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen in recent weeks amid cross-border terrorist activities and retaliatory strikes from Pakistan under Operation Ghazab lil Haq.