Pakistan strikes 10 drone sites in Afghanistan's Khost province

September 24, 2026 at 11:29 AM2 min

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Pakistan carried out air strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan's Khost province used to store and launch drones. The strikes caused no casualties, according to the Khost governor's spokesperson. The action follows a drone incursion into Pakistan that Islamabad called a violation of its sovereignty.

Key Facts

Pakistan struck 10 locations in Khost province used to store and launch drones.
The strikes caused no casualties, according to Khost governor's spokesperson Mustaghfir Gurbaz.
Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called the strikes deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate.
A drone incursion into Pakistan on Wednesday was condemned by Tarar as a blatant violation of sovereignty.
An attack on a police facility in northwestern Pakistan last week killed at least 21 people.

The Strikes

Pakistan carried out air strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan's Khost province used to store and launch drones. The strikes were deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate, and strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X. Khost governor's spokesperson Mustaghfir Gurbaz said the strikes were conducted in several areas of the province and caused no casualties.

Escalating Tensions

The strikes followed a drone incursion into Pakistan on Wednesday that Tarar condemned as a blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a grave and unacceptable act of aggression. An attack on a police facility in northwestern Pakistan last week killed at least 21 people and reignited fighting between the countries after nearly three months of relative calm. A Pakistan Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the blast and subsequent gun battle. On Monday, air strikes targeting three locations in northeastern Afghanistan killed three civilians in the Nurgal district of Kunar province, Afghan officials said, while Islamabad said it killed 28 terrorists.

Mediation Efforts

The escalation threatens mediation efforts by China, Turkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to broker a lasting peace between the two neighbours. Relations between the former allies have been strained since the fighting in February, the worst for years.