Pakistan and Afghanistan exchange diplomatic protests over border security

Pakistan and Afghanistan have exchanged formal diplomatic protests following a series of border security incidents.

Pakistan summoned the Afghan ambassador to deliver a demarche regarding the alleged violation of its airspace by eight drones on September 23. According to Pakistani security sources, the air defense system intercepted and shot down all eight drones, four near the Torkham border and four in mountainous areas near Kohat, preventing them from reaching potential targets.

In response, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul. The Afghan government issued a protest regarding the alleged entry of armed elements across the Durand Line into Nuristan. The Afghan Ministry of Defense reported that an operation in the Kamdesh district resulted in 28 deaths and 32 captures. Afghan authorities accused Pakistani militias and military personnel of supporting Daesh-affiliated groups and other hostile elements to conduct subversion within Afghan territory.