Pakistan Shoots Down 8 Drones Near Torkham Border and Kohat

8 Drones Reportedly Shot Down Near Torkham Border and Kohat

Pakistan’s armed forces reportedly shot down eight drones that entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat on September 23, 2026, according to Pakistani security sources cited by Dawn. Four of the drones were reportedly intercepted in areas close to Torkham, while the remaining four were brought down near Kohat.

The incident comes at a particularly tense moment in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with both sides facing continuing security concerns along the border. The reported drone incident also follows recent Pakistani military operations in areas along the Afghanistan border.

What happened near Torkham and Kohat?

According to security sources quoted by Dawn, eight drones entered Pakistani airspace on Wednesday morning. Pakistan’s air-defence systems detected and intercepted all eight, the sources said. Four were reportedly brought down in areas adjacent to the Torkham border, while four others were intercepted around Kohat.

Torkham is one of the major crossing points between Pakistan and Afghanistan and is located in Khyber district. The area has strategic importance because of its location along one of the principal routes connecting the two countries.

Kohat, meanwhile, is an important city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has experienced serious security incidents in recent days. The reported drone interceptions therefore occurred against a backdrop of heightened security activity in the province.

Security sources described the Pakistani air-defence systems as remaining on alert and monitoring possible threats. Dawn reported that earlier information from the same sources had said two rudimentary drones were brought down approximately seven kilometres from Kohat.

Who launched the drones?

Pakistani security sources attributed the drones to the Afghan Taliban authorities. However, this attribution is a claim from Pakistani sources, and it is important to distinguish that from independently established facts.

The reported incident has not been presented in the available reporting as a jointly verified finding by Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have previously rejected similar Pakistani allegations concerning cross-border militant or drone activity.

This distinction is important because accusations involving cross-border attacks can quickly increase tensions between neighbouring governments. Any further official statements from Kabul or independent investigations could provide additional information about the origin and purpose of the drones.

Connection with wider Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

The drone incident happened only two days after Pakistan conducted what its government described as “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region of Afghanistan against alleged terrorist hideouts and safe havens. Pakistan said more than 28 militants were killed in those strikes.

Afghan authorities have disputed Pakistan’s actions across the border. The Associated Press reported that Afghanistan said the September 21 strikes resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, while Pakistan said the targets were militant positions.

The sequence of events demonstrates how quickly security incidents along the border can lead to further military and diplomatic tensions.

Recent security concerns in Kohat

Kohat has also been affected by a major security incident in recent days. According to Dawn, an attack at the old Police Lines in Kohat resulted in 23 deaths and around 100 injuries, followed by an overnight clearance operation in which eight terrorists were killed.

The Pakistani government has linked recent militant violence to groups operating from or receiving support from Afghan territory. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban administration in Kabul to take action against militant groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Kabul has rejected accusations that it allows Afghan territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan, making the issue one of the major points of disagreement between the two governments.

Previous drone incidents

The September 23 incident is not the first time Pakistani authorities have reported intercepting drones allegedly launched from Afghanistan.

According to Dawn, Pakistani security sources said that four rudimentary drones were launched across the border into Balochistan in July and were shot down by security forces. Two additional drones were reportedly intercepted in June in the Qila Abdullah and Chagai districts.

These earlier incidents have contributed to concerns in Pakistan about possible cross-border surveillance or attacks.

However, details regarding the precise capabilities, origin and intended targets of individual drones have not always been independently established in public reporting. For that reason, descriptions of the drones should be treated according to the attribution of the relevant authorities rather than as independently verified technical assessments.

Why Torkham is important

The Torkham border crossing is one of the most important land links between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is used for the movement of people and commercial goods and has historically been an important route for cross-border trade.

Because of its geographical and economic importance, security incidents in the area can have wider consequences. Any prolonged deterioration in security could affect movement across the crossing and increase concerns among local communities, transporters and businesses.

The mountainous terrain surrounding the border also makes the wider area strategically sensitive. Security forces on both sides regularly monitor developments because of the possibility of armed groups operating in the region.

Pakistan's position

Pakistan says its security forces have a responsibility to protect the country’s airspace and territory. In the latest incident, security sources said that the armed forces and air-defence units successfully intercepted all eight drones before they could reach their alleged targets.

Pakistani officials have also repeatedly demanded what they describe as concrete and verifiable action from Kabul against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised similar concerns during an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting, saying Pakistan wanted stronger measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries.

UN-related concerns

The broader dispute has also attracted attention from the United Nations. A UN Security Council-mandated monitoring report covering December 16, 2025, through June 9, 2026, discussed the relationship between the TTP and Afghanistan and reported concerns about militant networks operating in the region. Dawn cited the report as saying that continued support for the TTP had contributed to an increase in the frequency and lethality of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, while also noting that Kabul had taken some initial steps against the group.

These findings are part of the wider international discussion about terrorism, border security and Afghanistan’s relationship with neighbouring states.

What could happen next?

The reported drone interceptions could further increase diplomatic and security tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Much will depend on whether additional incidents occur and whether the two sides engage through diplomatic channels.

Pakistan has indicated that it will continue monitoring threats from across the border, while Afghanistan has previously objected to Pakistani military actions and rejected accusations concerning support for militants.

For residents of border areas, the immediate concern is security and stability. Continued military activity can affect daily life, transportation and trade, particularly around major crossings such as Torkham.

Conclusion

The reported downing of eight drones near Torkham and Kohat is the latest development in an increasingly tense Pakistan-Afghanistan security environment. Pakistani security sources say four drones were intercepted near Torkham and four near Kohat, with the country’s air-defence systems responding to the reported airspace incursions.

The incident follows recent militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistani military operations near the Afghan border and continuing disagreements between Islamabad and Kabul over militant groups and cross-border security.

Because the claims about the drones’ launch point and intended purpose come primarily from Pakistani security sources, those details should be reported as claims rather than independently verified facts. Further statements from Afghan authorities or independent investigations could provide additional clarity.

For now, the incident highlights the continuing security challenges along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the importance of developments at Torkham, Kohat and other border regions in determining the direction of relations between the two countries.