Pakistan Strikes 10 Sites in Afghanistan

Historical map of the Durand Line and Pashtun border regions. Geographic context only: it does not plot the reported strike sites or current front lines. CIA; compiled by Jacksimpson4295 / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. Source. Proportional display; no additional crop.

Pakistan said it struck ten drone-related sites in Afghanistan on September 24 after intercepting drones that crossed the border. Afghan authorities reported at least four deaths, denied launching the drones and promised a response.

Pakistan conducted aerial and drone strikes against ten locations in Afghanistan on September 24. Islamabad described the targets as launch and storage sites connected to eight drones intercepted over Pakistani territory the previous day.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said strikes hit Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, killed at least four people and would receive an “appropriate response.”

Pakistan’s information minister publicly acknowledged the operation and identified ten targeted locations.

Independent reporting confirms explosions or strikes in multiple Afghan provinces. Afghan authorities have acknowledged casualties and confirmed that Pakistani forces carried out the attacks.

Drone links and the identity of the dead remained unverified

The identities of those killed have not been independently established.

Pakistan’s claim that the targeted facilities supported drone attacks remains unverified. Afghanistan denies responsibility for the drones that entered Pakistani airspace.

The extent of damage and whether Afghan forces will retaliate are also unknown.

Relations have deteriorated over Islamabad’s allegation that armed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, operate from Afghan territory. Kabul rejects that accusation.

Pakistan conducted earlier strikes in Afghanistan on September 21, claiming 28 militants were killed. Afghan authorities and the United Nations reported civilian deaths. The latest operation follows a deadly attack on a Pakistani police facility and ends nearly three months of relative calm along the border.

An Afghan retaliation could restart the countries’ worst fighting in years and undermine mediation by China, Türkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Escalation would also increase risks for civilians along a border already affected by militant attacks, displacement and repeated violations of sovereignty.

Reference correction — October 14, 2026 (UTC): The Al Jazeera update time is 09:40 UTC. The unsupported estimated UTC update time for the Express Tribune reference has been removed.

Sources

• Al Jazeera, citing AFP, AP and Reuters — September 24, 2026; updated at 09:40 UTC.
• The Express Tribune — September 24, 2026; publication date shown by the publisher; no independently established UTC update time.
• Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s official statement is embedded in the Express Tribune report.

 

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