Four Afghan drones shot down over Balochistan

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan's security forces shot down four rudimentary drones launched from Afghanistan into Balochistan, the military's media wing said, accusing the Afghan Taliban regime of supporting terrorist outfits operating from territory under its control.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incident occurred on June 30, when the Afghan Taliban regime launched four rudimentary drones across the border into Balochistan "as part of their patronisation and support of terrorist outfits operating from inside their controlled territories."

According to the ISPR, the hostile aerial platforms were immediately detected by Pakistan's air defence network. "Demonstrating high operational readiness, security forces successfully neutralised all four incoming drones using sophisticated countermeasures. Due to the swift and effective response, the malicious attempts were effectively thwarted," the statement said.

The military alleged that such actions by the Afghan Taliban regime were intended to mislead the Afghan population, which it said was suffering under an oppressive regime. "Such gimmicks of the Afghan Taliban regime are aimed at misleading the Afghan population suffering under their oppressive regime," the ISPR said.

It urged the Afghan Taliban to recognise that what it described as their "irresponsible behaviour" was only adding to the hardships faced by the Afghan people.

"Instead of trying to sedate their population through such antics and hollow rhetoric, they should eschew sponsorship of terrorism and adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence," the statement said. The military also warned that any further provocations would invite a strong response.

"However, if the Afghan Taliban continue to provoke Pakistan, they would receive a befitting response which would cost them heavily," the ISPR said. Reaffirming the armed forces' preparedness, the military said Pakistan remained fully capable of defending its territory against any external threat.

"The Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully vigilant and capable of defending every inch of the motherland. Any misadventures or cross-border provocations threatening the sovereignty of Pakistan and endangering our people will continue to be met with swift, decisive, and overwhelming responses under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq," the statement added.