Two Pakistan Army soldiers sustained injuries on Tuesday afternoon in a drone strike carried out by khawarij, as declared by the state, in the restive Mir Ali, North Waziristan.
According to security sources, the attack took place near the Mir Ali Bypass, when a quad-copter dropped an improvised explosive device (IED) onto a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. The targeted vehicle was engaged in routine patrolling duties as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
The precision aerial strike caused partial damage to the MRAP and left two soldiers wounded. Both were promptly evacuated to a nearby military medical facility and are reported to be in stable condition.
Initial forensic analysis and intelligence assessments suggest that the quad-copter drone used in the attack was of foreign origin, reportedly supplied to khawarij through Indian intelligence handlers. Security analysts note that this reflects an evolving and increasingly dangerous shift in the terrorists’ operational tactics, integrating technology for targeted strikes against military and civilian targets.
Following the incident, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the surrounding area to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further attacks. Sources indicate that key high-value intelligence assets have been activated to trace the origin and handlers of the drone.
This is not the first time khawarij have resorted to using drones for terror activities in the region. Just weeks ago, four innocent children were killed in a similar drone attack in Mir Ali. Khawarij, in an apparent effort to deflect blame and stoke unrest, falsely accused Pakistani security forces of being responsible for the strike, an accusation that was later debunked through military investigation and eyewitness accounts.
Local authorities also recall that khawarij had recently issued threats to schoolteachers in the area during their campaign to forcibly shut down educational institutions. They had warned that they possessed drones and could strike the teachers in their own homes if their demands were not met, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the region.
Tuesday’s drone attack is being widely condemned and has reignited concerns over foreign involvement in destabilizing the region through proxy terror groups. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway, and military officials have vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
