Zardari condemns ‘Audacity’ of Afghan Taliban after drone incursions target Pakistan

WEB DESK: President Asif Ali Zardari has issued a blistering rebuke to the Afghan Taliban following a series of drone attacks targeting civilian areas across Pakistan. Labelling the strikes a “red line” provocation by an “illegitimate regime,” the President warned that the Kabul-based administration had invited “grave consequences” by testing the patience of a major military power.

According to the Express Tribune, the escalation comes as Pakistan’s military confirmed it intercepted several “rudimentary” drones launched from Afghan soil on Friday. While the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the aerial threats were successfully neutralised before reaching their primary targets, falling debris caused injuries to civilians, including two children in Quetta and individuals in Kohat and Rawalpindi.

A ‘Red Line’ crossed

In a stern statement released by the President’s Secretariat on Saturday, Zardari did not mince words regarding the current leadership in Kabul. He accused the Taliban of maintaining a regime “installed by terror and brute force” and failing to honour international commitments to deny safe haven to terrorist organisations.

“The illegitimate and terrorist Taliban regime has brought grave consequences upon itself by crossing this red line,” Zardari stated. He noted the irony of the timing, pointing out that the provocations occurred while Islamabad is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to foster stability across the Gulf and West Asia. The President suggested that the Taliban’s recent attempts at diplomatic outreach now “ring hollow” in the face of direct aggression against Pakistani sovereignty.

Military response and civilian toll

The ISPR confirmed that the country’s air defences were activated yesterday to intercept the incoming drones, which officials described as a failed attempt to harass the Pakistani population. Although the drones were destroyed in flight, the resulting debris led to casualties on the ground. President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the recovery of those injured, affirming that the state remains “fully committed” to the protection of its citizens.

The incident follows a period of heightened tensions along the border, punctuated by “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq.” According to recent government figures, that operation resulted in the deaths of over 600 Afghan Taliban militants and the destruction of nearly 250 checkposts. As the security situation fluctuates, the Pakistani leadership has reiterated that its armed forces remain on high alert to defend the nation’s territorial integrity against further cross-border incursions.