A recent incident along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border has drawn international attention. For the first time, sources linked to the Taliban have claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Pakistani border post — a development that could reshape regional security dynamics across South Asia.
🔹 What Happened?
On Wednesday, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency — affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — published a report citing sources close to the Taliban. According to the report, Taliban forces carried out drone strikes on Pakistani army positions along the Durand Line.
The report claimed that the strikes had “inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistani soldiers.” However, within hours, the report was deleted from Tasnim’s website, indicating the political sensitivity surrounding the incident.
🔹 Pakistan’s Silence
So far, the Pakistani government has not issued any official statement on the alleged attacks.
However, a Pakistani security source told Afghanistan International that the drone used in the assault was a rotary-wing, or copter-type drone, similar to those operated by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The same source suggested that TTP had acquired several such drones through traders in Afghanistan, and that some may have been supplied by the Afghan Taliban — though this remains unconfirmed.
🔹 The Expanding Reality of Drone Warfare
This marks the first time Taliban-linked media have claimed the use of drones in combat beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
Lightweight, remotely controlled drones have become increasingly popular among both state and non-state armed groups. While commercial drones can be modified for combat purposes, advanced, explosive-carrying drones are typically restricted to military buyers and government forces.
This raises a critical question: where did the Taliban obtain these drones?
🔹 The Iranian Connection?
The Taliban maintains close ties with Iran, a regional powerhouse in drone production and export. Iran has been known to supply drone technology to various proxy groups across the Middle East.
Analysts suggest it is plausible that the Taliban may have gained access to Iranian drone models or expertise, though neither side has officially confirmed such cooperation.
🔹 Analysis
This development could mark the beginning of a new phase of cross-border conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan. Drone warfare — once the domain of state militaries — is now being adopted by insurgent and extremist groups, changing the rules of engagement across the region.
Pakistan’s continued silence may be strategic, aimed at avoiding escalation with the Taliban, but the situation remains volatile. If confirmed, this attack represents a significant shift in Taliban capabilities and signals a broader regional security challenge.
🔹 Conclusion
The deleted Iranian report, the Taliban’s muted acknowledgment, and Pakistan’s strategic silence all point toward a complex geopolitical power play along the Durand Line.
As drone warfare spreads beyond state control, South Asia may be entering a new and uncertain era — where even the skies above the border are no longer safe.
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