Pakistan's military shot down four Afghan Taliban drones in Balochistan, hours after Afghanistan claimed strikes on ISIL centers in Pakistan. This latest exchange follows a pattern of escalating cross-border military actions since October 2025, despite failed mediation efforts, with analysts noting a "tit-for-tat" dynamic.
Acting Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob announced a military-technical cooperation agreement with Russia, aimed at repairing Soviet-era weapons. He warned Pakistan against attacking Afghan territory, framing the deal as pragmatic and interest-based, not ideological, while downplaying international concerns.
Taliban acting defense minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob announced a military-technical cooperation agreement with Russia, aimed at repairing Soviet-era weapons. He warned Pakistan against attacking Afghan territory, framing the deal as pragmatic and interest-based, not an ideological alliance.
The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have grown more emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
