Pakistani forces conducted a series of cross-border raids targeting infrastructure used for the launch and storage of drones in neighboring Afghanistan. The operation hit 10 locations on Sept 23 and 24 in response to drone attacks launched against Pakistani territory a day earlier, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. A resident told AFP that one of the targets was the city of Kandahar, where the Taliban government's supreme leader resides.

The government in Islamabad accused Afghanistan of allowing "terrorist sanctuaries" to operate on its soil, describing the airstrikes as a calibrated act of self-defense. The military action followed the interception and disablement of intruding drones by Pakistani air defense systems, Tarar said.