Pakistan warns of ‘swift, decisive’ response to Afghan provocations

• Military says shot down four drones launched into Balochistan on 30 June.
• ISPR calls drone launches tactic to mislead Afghan population.
• Pakistan urges Afghan Taliban to abandon support for terrorism.

Pakistan’s armed forces vowed on Wednesday to deliver a “swift, decisive and overwhelming response” to any future cross-border provocation from Afghanistan, after the military said it had shot down four drones launched into Balochistan from Afghan territory.

Stating on its website, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “On 30 June, the Afghan Taliban regime launched four (4) rudimentary drones across the border in Balochistan as part of their patronisation and support of terrorist outfits operating from inside their controlled territories.”

“The hostile aerial platforms were immediately picked up by Pakistan’s robust air defence network. Demonstrating high operational readiness, security forces successfully neutralised all four incoming drones using sophisticated countermeasures.”

The Pakistan Army’s media wing said that due to the swift and effective response, the malicious attempts were effectively thwarted.

The statement also criticised Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, saying the drone launches were intended to mislead the Afghan population.

“Such gimmicks of the Afghan Taliban regime are aimed at misleading the Afghan population suffering under their oppressive regime,” it stated.

The army stressed that the Afghan Taliban should realise that their irresponsible behaviour is only adding to the hardships of the Afghan people.

“Instead of trying to sedate their population through such antics and hollow rhetoric, they should eschew sponsorship of terrorism and adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence,” it noted.

It added that Pakistan’s armed forces remained “fully vigilant and capable of defending every inch of the motherland”, and said any future cross-border provocations or actions threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty would be met with “swift, decisive, and overwhelming responses” under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq.

“However, if the Afghan Taliban continue to provoke Pakistan, they would receive a befitting response, which would cost them heavily,” it said.

“Any misadventures or cross-border provocations threatening the sovereignty of Pakistan and endangering our people will continue to be met with swift, decisive, and overwhelming responses under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq.”