Afghanistan says drone hit Pakistan's 'Hamza' military center in Islamabad

Afghanistan’s defence ministry said its air force carried out a drone strike on a Pakistani military facility in Islamabad on Friday, marking the latest escalation in growing tensions between the neighbouring countries.

In a post on X, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense said the Afghan Air Force targeted a strategic military center known as “Hamza” in the Faizabad area of the Pakistani capital at around 5 p.m. local time.

“At about 5:00 PM today, Afghan Air Forces carried out an airstrike on the Pakistani military’s strategic center, ‘Hamza’ in Faizabad, Islamabad,” the ministry said.

According to the statement, the strike was carried out using drone aircraft and targeted key facilities inside the military complex.

“In this attack, the leadership of this important center and other vital enemy facilities were precisely targeted by the drone aircraft, resulting in heavy human casualties and financial losses inflicted upon the enemy forces,” the ministry added.

In a separate post, the Afghan defence ministry said the strike destroyed military installations at the site, including the command centre, depots and residential quarters for soldiers.

The claimed strike came amid a sharp escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan along the disputed Durand Line, following a series of air and mortar attacks in recent days.

Earlier, Pakistan launched airstrikes on locations in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar, saying the operation — dubbed “Ghazb lil Haq” — targeted militant camps and terrorist infrastructure.

Afghan officials said the strikes hit residential areas in Kabul, killing at least four civilians and wounding more than a dozen, including women and children. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said the airstrikes in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul caused civilian casualties, according to Reuters.

Afghanistan’s ruling authorities have condemned the Pakistani attacks as violations of their sovereignty. Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned earlier that Pakistan’s actions would “not go unanswered.”

Pakistan has not immediately confirmed the reported strike on the Hamza military facility.

Security has been tightened in Islamabad following the incident. Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered stricter monitoring of entry points into the capital, reducing them from 109 to 25 and increasing security checks.

Meanwhile, China has stepped up diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries. Afghan acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi held a call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who urged both sides to avoid military escalation.

Despite mediation efforts, clashes between the two neighbours have intensified in recent weeks, raising fears of a broader conflict along their 2,600-kilometre border.

- Ends

With inputs from Reuters

Tune In