Taliban Drone Strike Hits Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base Amid Escalation

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply after Taliban forces reportedly launched armed drone strikes targeting key Pakistani military installations, including the strategically significant Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi.

According to statements shared by Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense, coordinated aerial operations were carried out against multiple military targets inside Pakistan. Among the sites named were the Command and Control Centre at Nur Khan Air Base, the 12th Division headquarters in Quetta, Khwazai Camp in Mohmand Agency, and other locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The reported strike on Nur Khan Air Base is particularly sensitive. The facility had previously been targeted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 amid a brief but intense India-Pakistan conflict. Reconstruction and repair work at the base was reportedly still underway when the latest attack occurred, potentially compounding existing damage.

Footage claimed to show drone strikes was shared through official Taliban-linked channels, although independent verification of the videos remains awaited.

Earlier, Taliban officials also claimed that a Pakistani fighter jet was shot down over Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. Reports suggested that the pilot ejected and was captured alive after landing. However, there has been no independent confirmation from Pakistani authorities regarding the claim.

The escalation follows days of cross-border hostilities. Pakistan reportedly conducted airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar, targeting what it described as Taliban positions. Pakistani officials stated that over 100 Taliban fighters were killed and several posts destroyed during the operation.

In response, Taliban authorities claimed they carried out retaliatory attacks that resulted in casualties among Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as an “open war” scenario, signalling one of the most serious confrontations between the two countries in recent years.

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long been a volatile region, with frequent clashes, allegations of militant sanctuary and retaliatory military actions. The latest exchange of drone and air strikes raises concerns about prolonged instability along the Durand Line and its potential regional implications.

With both sides issuing strong statements and continuing military operations, diplomatic channels appear strained. Observers warn that sustained confrontation could further destabilise South Asia at a time of broader geopolitical tensions across the region.