Rawalpindi, March 14, 2026: At least four people, including two children, were injured after “rudimentary” drones launched from Afghanistan were intercepted by Pakistani security forces, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drones were brought down using both “soft and hard kill” measures before reaching their intended targets.
The statement said two children were injured in Quetta, while one civilian each was hurt in Kohat and Rawalpindi due to falling debris from the intercepted drones.
“These attacks were aimed at inducing fear in the public and remind us of the terrorist mindset which drives the Afghan Taliban,” the ISPR said.
The military said the Afghan Taliban often portray themselves as victims to gain international sympathy, while allegedly targeting civilians through militant proxies and drone attacks.
“Pakistan’s people and its armed forces are absolutely clear about the true nature and intentions of the terrorist militia-for-hire that rules Afghanistan,” the statement added.
The ISPR said Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, would continue until the Afghan Taliban address Islamabad’s concerns regarding militant activity originating from Afghan territory.
“Pakistan’s armed forces stand steadfast in the fight against terrorism and its manifestations, like the drone attacks by Afghan Taliban,” the statement said, adding that the military would continue to defend the country against such provocations.
Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said two drones linked to “Fitna al-Khawarij” — a term used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — had been intercepted using electronic countermeasures.
Officials said no military or critical infrastructure was hit, with only minor damage reported from drone debris.
Following the incident, the Pakistan Airports Authority briefly reported a “short operational adjustment” at Islamabad International Airport, although it later clarified that reports about the closure of Islamabad’s airspace were baseless.
The drone incidents occurred a day after Pakistani forces reportedly carried out overnight air strikes on suspected militant positions in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan had targeted around 70 terrorist-linked installations in those areas, including logistical bases and camps allegedly supporting cross-border attacks.
Zardari condemns attack
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the drone attacks, describing them as attempts to target civilian areas in Pakistan.
In a statement issued by the president’s media wing, Zardari said the Afghan Taliban had “crossed a red line” by attempting to attack civilians despite Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace.
The president also expressed his wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces and security institutions remain fully committed to defending the country and protecting its citizens.
