The Government of Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the deliberate and unlawful incursion into Pakistan’s sovereign airspace by drones launched from Afghan territory on 23 September 2026. The incident constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and represents a grave and unacceptable act of aggression. Pakistan considers the use of Afghan territory and airspace for the launching of hostile operations against Pakistan to be a matter of the utmost seriousness.
Pakistan has, for years, consistently conveyed its grave concerns to the Afghan Taliban regime, as well as to relevant Afghan interlocutors, regarding the continued presence of terrorist sanctuaries, infrastructure and support networks on Afghan soil. Pakistan has repeatedly called for credible, concrete, verifiable and sustained action to dismantle these networks and prevent Afghan territory from being used to plan, facilitate or execute attacks against Pakistan.
Regrettably, instead of taking effective measures to address these concerns, the Afghan Taliban regime has allowed the situation to deteriorate further. The deliberate use of drones launched from Afghan territory against Pakistan marks a dangerous escalation and cannot be treated as an isolated or inconsequential incident.
Pakistan’s air defence systems detected, tracked and successfully neutralised all intruding drone platforms before they could reach their intended targets. The attempted attack was therefore comprehensively thwarted, and the drones were prevented from causing the harm for which they had been deployed.
Pakistan’s security forces remain fully vigilant and continue to maintain the highest level of readiness to protect the country’s airspace, territorial integrity, civilian population and national security.
Following the attempted attack, and in exercise of its sovereign right to self-defence, Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations inside Afghanistan that had been identified as being used for the launching and storage of the drones involved in hostile operations against Pakistan.
These operations were deliberate, precise and calibrated. They were strictly directed against identified military objectives and infrastructure directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan. Pakistan reiterates that its actions were undertaken in response to a specific and grave security threat and in exercise of its inherent right to defend its territory and its people.
Pakistan categorically reiterates that it will neither accept nor tolerate attacks against its territory launched from Afghan soil, whether conducted by terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan or by elements of the Afghan Taliban regime itself.
Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated restraint and has consistently preferred dialogue, diplomatic engagement and peaceful mechanisms for addressing security concerns. However, restraint must not be interpreted as acquiescence to repeated violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Any further violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity will be met with an immediate, firm and decisive response in accordance with Pakistan’s sovereign rights and its responsibility to protect its citizens and national security.
Threats, denials or attempts to deflect responsibility by the Afghan Taliban regime cannot alter the facts surrounding the incident, nor can they constrain Pakistan’s inherent right to take necessary measures to defend its territory, population and national interests.
Pakistan once again calls upon the Afghan Taliban regime to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks or hostile operations against Pakistan.
The Afghan Taliban regime must fulfil its international obligations and undertake effective, sustained and demonstrable action against terrorist entities, their leadership, infrastructure, training facilities, logistical networks and support structures operating from Afghan soil.
Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorism or other hostile activities against neighbouring states.
The responsibility for preventing such activities rests with those exercising effective control over Afghan territory. Mere denials, assurances or statements of concern are insufficient. What is required is tangible action that can be independently assessed and verified.
Pakistan reiterates that it does not seek escalation or confrontation. Pakistan remains committed to regional peace, stability, dialogue and constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
At the same time, Pakistan’s commitment to peace must not be mistaken for weakness, indifference or an unlimited tolerance of hostile actions. Peace can only be sustained when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states are respected and when commitments are translated into concrete actions.
Pakistan will continue to pursue diplomatic and political avenues wherever they can contribute meaningfully to regional stability. However, Pakistan will also take all necessary measures to safeguard its national security and protect the lives and property of its citizens.
The Government of Pakistan therefore makes its position unequivocally clear:
Pakistan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and expects the same in return. Afghan territory must not be used for attacks or hostile operations against Pakistan. Any further provocative or hostile act originating from Afghan territory will receive a firm and resolute response.
Pakistan will continue to exercise maximum responsibility and restraint while remaining fully determined to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. Pakistan seeks peace. Pakistan remains open to dialogue. But Pakistan will defend itself with full resolve.
