Drone intercepted near PAF base in Rawalpindi amid tensions

A drone-like object was intercepted near a Pakistan Air Force base in the Chaklala area of Rawalpindi early Tuesday morning, according to eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media.

Residents reported seeing an explosion near power lines at around 6:50am local time, with footage showing smoke rising from a rooftop after the blast.

Witnesses said fighter jets were seen flying overhead while air defence systems appeared to neutralise the drone in what observers described as a “hard kill”. No casualties or major damage were immediately reported.

The incident comes amid a series of recent drone interceptions in Pakistan that officials have linked to militant groups operating from Afghanistan.

Rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan

The reported drone incursion occurred shortly after Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike in Kabul.

Afghan officials claimed the strike targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital, alleging that hundreds were killed and injured.

However, Pakistan rejected the accusations, calling them “false and misleading,” and said its operations in eastern Afghanistan did not target civilian sites.

Escalating cross-border conflict

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply in recent weeks following cross-border attacks and retaliatory strikes.

The latest clashes come after a ceasefire reportedly brokered by Qatar in October collapsed, marking one of the most serious deteriorations in relations between the two neighbours in recent years.