This file photo shows a drone, ostensibly sent by Afghan forces, in Swabi.

Pakistan’s armed forces shot down eight drones after they allegedly entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, security sources said.

According to the sources, the drones were intercepted by Pakistan’s air defence systems after entering Pakistani territory. Four drones were brought down in areas adjoining the Torkham border, while four others were shot down in mountainous areas near Kohat.

Security sources said the armed forces and Pakistan Air Force had thwarted what they described as an attempt to target public areas in Pakistan.

Earlier, security sources had reported that two rudimentary drones were brought down around seven kilometres from Kohat city using what they described as “soft kill” measures. The sources said Pakistan’s air defence systems remained on round-the-clock alert against potential threats.

The sources also alleged that the drone incident was evidence of support for militant groups by the Afghan Taliban authorities. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following a series of militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan’s recent strikes against alleged militant hideouts in the border region.

On September 21, Pakistan said it had conducted “calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts and safe havens in the border region with Afghanistan. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said 28 terrorists were killed in the strikes, while Pakistani security forces also reported nine militants killed during an intelligence-based ground operation in Kohat and Hangu.

The strikes followed the deadly attack on the old Police Lines in Kohat, where 23 people, including 17 policemen and six civilians, were killed, according to police and Counter-Terrorism Department officials. Eight militants were subsequently killed during a clearance operation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have continued to exchange accusations over militant activity and cross-border security incidents. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to take action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

The latest drone incident adds to the recent series of security developments along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where tensions have intensified in recent days.