Taliban Drone Program and Alleged Indian Support Raise Security Concerns for Pakistan

A British publication has reported that the Taliban first used drones against Pakistan in October 2025 and has continued deploying them during operations against Pakistan and the Afghan Freedom Front over the past 11 months. The report claims that the Taliban made extensive use of drones against the Afghan Freedom Front in Zebak, highlighting the group’s growing ability to conduct aerial surveillance and potentially carry out targeted attacks.

According to the report, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense purchased thousands of commercial quadcopters and drone engines from Chinese companies. It also claims that Taliban officials made several visits to India over the past year seeking support, while Indian military engineers have allegedly been working in Kabul, with assistance from the Indian embassy, to enhance the Taliban’s drone capabilities. The Independent has further reported claims that Taliban quadcopters are being equipped with cameras, grenades and military ammunition.

The report also points to alleged assistance from al-Qaeda in the development of the Taliban’s drone capabilities. While these claims require independent verification, any significant expansion of the Taliban’s drone program could pose a serious security challenge for Pakistan, particularly along the border, where drones could be used for surveillance, intelligence gathering and targeted attacks.