Pakistan Says Eight Afghan Drones Shot Down Near Torkham and Kohat

PESHAWAR, — September 23, 2026 — Pakistan says its armed forces shot down eight drones that entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, with four reportedly intercepted near the Torkham border and four others brought down in mountainous areas near Kohat.

The claim comes from Pakistani security sources and has been reported separately by Dawn, Geo News, The News, Express Tribune, Associated Press of Pakistan and other Pakistani outlets. However, as of Wednesday evening, there is no independent visual or third-party confirmation establishing the drones’ origin or the circumstances in which all eight were brought down. (Dawn, Geo News)

According to the Pakistani sources, the country's air-defence system detected and intercepted the drones before they could reach their intended targets. Security officials said four drones were downed close to Torkham, while another four were brought down near Kohat. The sources also said the wreckage was being recovered. (Dawn)

Pakistan's state-run Associated Press of Pakistan separately reported the same locations and said the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force detected and intercepted the drones before they could reach their targets. Radio Pakistan also reported the eight-drone figure, citing security sources. (APP, Radio Pakistan)

The account has not been independently verified by Reuters, AP or another major international news agency in the reporting available so far. Afghan media outlets also have not provided independent evidence confirming that eight drones were launched by Taliban authorities. Afghan-based Khaama Press, which reported the development, likewise attributed the claim to Pakistani security sources. (Khaama Press)

The reported drone incident follows overnight fighting in the Kurram sector. Pakistani security sources said an attempted infiltration from Afghanistan was stopped and that Afghan Taliban forces subsequently opened fire on Pakistani border positions with mortars and other weapons. Pakistani forces said they responded by targeting Afghan Taliban border positions. These battlefield claims also come primarily from Pakistani security sources and have not been independently verified. (Express Tribune, The News)

The latest developments follow Pakistan's September 21 airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan said those strikes targeted militant camps and hideouts and initially reported that 28 militants had been killed. Afghan authorities said three civilians were killed in Kunar, while the United Nations confirmed three civilian deaths and four injuries there. (Reuters, AP)

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated sharply over Pakistan's accusations that Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants operate from Afghan territory. The Taliban government denies allowing Afghanistan to be used for attacks against Pakistan. The two sides have also exchanged fire along the border during previous confrontations this year. (Reuters, Amu TV)

The reported eight-drone interception therefore represents another escalation in the already deteriorating Pakistan-Afghanistan security situation. For now, the specific number of drones, their launch locations and whether they were operated by Taliban forces remain claims attributed to Pakistani security sources rather than independently established facts. (Dawn, Khaama Press) 