Govt Bans All Drone Operations Following Cross-Border Clashes with Afghanistan
By Tanveer Ahmed :
The federal government has prohibited all commercial and private drone flights across Pakistan with immediate effect, citing heightened security concerns after violent clashes erupted along the border with Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Interior issued a notification Friday imposing the nationwide ban, directing provincial authorities and the Islamabad administration to ensure strict compliance. The decision comes just days after a similar restriction was implemented in Punjab province.
Provincial Action
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Home and Tribal Affairs Department followed with its own 30-day ban on outdoor drone operations, specifically targeting quadcopters and remote-controlled aerial devices. The department warned that such equipment poses significant risks to public safety and government installations, particularly following recent attacks in the province’s southern regions.
The provincial order cites concerns that unmanned vehicles could be used for remote attacks on government buildings and critical infrastructure. Exemptions have been granted for indoor drone use at events like weddings, as well as for intelligence and law enforcement agencies conducting authorized operations.
Authorities have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary gatherings near sensitive locations and directed all government departments to strengthen their security arrangements.
Military Response
The drone ban follows Pakistan’s launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, a military response to what officials describe as unprovoked aggression by Afghan Taliban forces along the border. According to military sources, Afghan forces attacked 53 locations across 15 sectors, prompting an immediate response from Pakistani troops.
Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefed media on the operation, revealing that Pakistani forces successfully repelled all attacks. The military spokesman reported significant casualties on the Afghan side, with hundreds killed or wounded and numerous military posts destroyed or captured by Pakistani forces.
The operation also involved airstrikes targeting militant infrastructure across multiple Afghan provinces, including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Military officials maintain that all targets were carefully selected based on intelligence and that precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.
Twelve Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the operations, with several others wounded and one reported missing.
Security Environment
The escalating tensions have raised concerns about the use of drones for hostile purposes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that anti-drone systems successfully intercepted several small unmanned aircraft in Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera, linking the incidents to what he described as terrorist elements operating with support from across the border.
In a separate incident Friday evening, a quadcopter dropped explosive material on a mosque in Bannu during iftar, injuring five worshippers. The Counter Terrorism Department has launched an investigation into the attack.
Official Statements
The military spokesman delivered a strongly worded message to Afghan authorities, stating that the Taliban regime must choose between standing with Pakistan or with terrorist organizations operating from its soil. He alleged that Indian sponsorship plays a role in terrorist activities targeting Pakistan, with Afghan territory serving as a base for operations.
The DG ISPR reminded that the Afghan Taliban had signed the Doha agreement, committing to prevent Afghan land from being used against other nations—a promise he said remains unfulfilled. He also noted that commitments regarding inclusive governance and women’s rights have not been honored.
National Response
The military spokesman emphasized that the entire nation stands united against terrorism, with all political parties rejecting any space for militancy or its facilitators in Pakistan. He paid tribute to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police personnel serving on the frontlines of the conflict.
The nationwide drone ban remains in effect until further orders, with authorities instructed to take legal action against violators. Citizens have been urged to report any suspicious drone activity or unidentified debris to law enforcement immediately.
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