Afghanistan Claims Airstrike on Pakistani Military Center Amid Rising Tensions

Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for an airstrike on a Pakistani military center, escalating ongoing tensions between the two nations. Pakistani authorities reported intercepting explosive-laden drones, while Afghan officials asserted that the attack caused significant damage and casualties. This incident follows a series of threats and retaliatory actions, highlighting the fragile relationship between the two countries. The Pakistan Airports Authority also addressed rumors regarding flight operations at Islamabad International Airport, emphasizing that all flights were running as scheduled. As the situation develops, both nations remain on high alert amidst rising hostilities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 14, 2026, 00:45 IST

Afghanistan's Airstrike Claim

Islamabad: On Friday, Afghanistan asserted that its air forces executed an airstrike targeting the Pakistani military's strategic facility known as "Hamza" located in Faizabad, Islamabad. In contrast, Pakistani security officials reported that they successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones laden with explosives in the capital. One drone reportedly crashed near Faizabad, while the other fell in the I-9 sector of Islamabad. The Afghan Ministry of Defence announced on X that the airstrike was part of an ongoing operation dubbed "RejectOppression," stating that it occurred around 5:00 PM. They also shared images of the drone purportedly flying over Islamabad.

Pakistani Media's Perspective

Pakistani Media Reports: According to local media, the origin of the drones remains uncertain, and no official statement has been released by Pakistan regarding the incident. This development follows recent threats from Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, who indicated that Kabul might target Islamabad. The drone incident occurred shortly after another drone was intercepted and destroyed in Kohat, a city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Reports suggest that the Kohat Military Fort, a command center near the Durand Line, suffered considerable damage during the retaliatory strikes.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence stated that the military installations, command center, depots, and soldiers' quarters at the fort were destroyed, leading to significant human and material losses.

Pakistan Airports Authority Statement

Statement from Pakistan Airports Authority: Earlier, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on X that there was a "brief operational adjustment" affecting flight operations at Islamabad International Airport. However, this post was later deleted, and the PAA issued a clarification stating that rumors regarding the airport's closure were unfounded. They confirmed that all flights were operating as scheduled and advised the public to disregard unverified reports, urging reliance on official PAA communications for accurate information.

Escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions

Background on Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations: Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have soured since violent border clashes erupted last October. A ceasefire was brokered on October 19, but tensions flared again in February when the Pakistan Air Force conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Islamabad claimed these strikes targeted militant camps associated with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and ISIS-K. In retaliation, Afghan forces launched significant offensives against Pakistani border posts, prompting Pakistan to initiate Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, which intensified border skirmishes and cross-border firing incidents along the Durand Line. Recently, Pakistan reported that its forces had killed over 600 Afghan fighters.