Afghanistan Announces Retaliatory Drone Strikes on Pakistani Military Installations
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Afghanistan has officially claimed responsibility for conducting coordinated drone attacks against multiple Pakistani military installations, including the strategically vital Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi. The Afghan Ministry of National Defense declared these operations as direct retaliation for recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory.
Targeted Military Sites and Official Statements
According to an official post on X (formerly Twitter) from the Afghan defense ministry, the country's air force executed "precise and coordinated aerial operations against key military installations in Pakistan." The targeted sites specifically mentioned include:
- The Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi
- The 12th division headquarters in Quetta, Balochistan
- Khwazai Camp in the Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The ministry's statement emphasized that "according to preliminary information, these attacks have resulted in significant damage to the mentioned targets." The post included video footage and satellite images purportedly showing the drone attacks, though independent verification of the claims and assessment of actual damage remains pending.
Historical Context of Nur Khan Airbase
The Nur Khan airbase holds particular strategic significance in the region. This installation previously made headlines during Operation Sindoor in 2025 when Indian forces targeted it and other Pakistani military bases with BrahMos and other missiles. Even nine months after that Indo-Pak conflict, reconstruction work at the Nur Khan base was reportedly still underway when Afghanistan launched its recent drone strikes.
Afghanistan's defense ministry stressed that any further breach of Afghan airspace or "acts of aggression" by Pakistan would invite "a swift, decisive, and proportionate response."
Background and Escalating Tensions
The drone attacks come in response to what Afghanistan describes as Pakistani airstrikes targeting Kabul, Bagram, and other areas. According to Afghan officials, early on Sunday morning, several Pakistani fighter jets attempted bombing missions that were intercepted by Afghan anti-aircraft weapons, with no reported casualties from those incidents.
In a further development, the Taliban claimed that 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed in what they described as retaliatory attacks carried out by their forces overnight. Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported that operations conducted by the 203 Mansouri, 201 Silab, and 205 Al-Badr Corps resulted not only in fatalities but also injuries to 10 Pakistani soldiers and the destruction of four military outposts.
Regional Implications and Military Capabilities
This development marks a notable escalation given Afghanistan's limited air force capabilities, which primarily consist of older aircraft. The successful execution of coordinated drone attacks against multiple Pakistani military targets represents a significant assertion of military capability by Afghan forces.
The situation continues to develop as both nations exchange accusations and military actions, with the potential for further escalation remaining high. The international community watches closely as these events unfold in an already volatile region.
