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Jun 19, 2026 Major2
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Pakistan Rejects Afghan Claims of Strikes on Militant Hideouts in Two Provinces
Pakistan's Information Ministry rejected Afghanistan's claims of overnight drone strikes against Islamic State hideouts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, labeling them as false. The ministry added that militant groups operate from areas under Afghan control and that a drone from Afghanistan was intercepted by Pakistan's air defense.
Quick Facts
Who
Pakistan's Information Ministry
What
Pakistan rejected Afghanistan's drone strike claims
When
June 19, 2026
Where
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Pakistan rejected Afghanistan's drone strike claims
- Afghan Ministry of Defense claimed overnight strikes against Islamic State hideouts
- Pakistan intercepted and neutralized an Afghan drone
- Pakistan's Information Ministry
- Afghan Ministry of Defense
Pakistan has formally rejected Afghanistan's claim that its forces conducted drone strikes against militant hideouts in two Pakistani provinces, calling the assertion false and misleading. The response came after the Afghan Ministry of Defense announced overnight air raids targeting hideouts of Islamic State militants in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
In a statement issued on Friday, Pakistan's Information Ministry said the claims were baseless, noting that militant camps belonging to the Islamic State of Khorasan Province and over two dozen other groups are located in areas under Afghan control. The ministry accused Afghan authorities of operating from within their own territory while making unfounded allegations against Pakistan.
Additionally, the ministry reported that a rudimentary drone launched from Afghanistan crossed into Pakistan's airspace near Shinko in the northwestern Khyber district. The drone was intercepted and neutralized by Pakistan's air defense system, according to the statement.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the two neighbors, who have long traded accusations of harboring militant groups and failing to secure their border regions.
Why This Matters
This dispute shows that cross-border militant activity remains a key flashpoint between Pakistan and Afghanistan, risking further instability in a region already challenged by insurgency. For readers, it means that any escalation could affect regional security dynamics, particularly for those monitoring South Asian geopolitics or involved in peace efforts.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 19, 2026
WireAfghan Ministry of Defense claims overnight drone strikes against Islamic State hideouts in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces
Jun 19, 2026
WirePakistan's Information Ministry rejects the claim as false and misleading; reports interception of an Afghan drone