Taliban Forces Launch First-Ever Direct Drone Strikes Into Pakistani Territory

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said its forces struck an alleged ISIS-K center in Saranan, Balochistan, and targets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 1, 2026 — the first time in the conflict that Kabul has launched a direct aerial assault onto Pakistani soil rather than only exchanging cross-border artillery or claiming retaliatory fire. Four drones entered Pakistani airspace; Pakistan's military said all four were intercepted or shot down before reaching their targets, though some outlets reported 2 people injured near a government school. The strikes mark a significant escalation beyond diplomatic protest, occurring as China-mediated Urumqi-process talks remain deadlocked with no confirmed Round 2 meeting.