Iranian drone allegedly on spying mission shot down 'deep inside' Balochistan

Published
A JF-17 Thunder fighter jet allegedly shot down the Iranian drone. ─ APP/File
A JF-17 Thunder fighter jet allegedly shot down the Iranian drone. ─ APP/File

An unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jet in Balochistan's Panjgur area, official sources confirmed to DawnNews on Tuesday.

The officials said the unmanned aircraft was shot down by a JF-17 in the Parom area of Panjgur district after it ventured "deep inside Pakistani airspace" on a spying mission.

They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to media.

Security forces took custody of the debris after discovering the wreckage on Monday, but it is still unclear when the drone was shot down.

Security was tightened in the area following the incident. The PAF has declined to comment on the matter.

This is the second Iranian drone to have been reported shot down in 24 hours after US-coalition forces confirmed that they had downed an Iranian-made drone operated by pro-regime forces in southern Syria early Tuesday.

Iran's army chief recently warned that Tehran would strike 'militant safe havens' inside Pakistan ─ remarks that drew a strong protest from Islamabad ─ after 10 Iranian border guards were killed by militants allegedly from across the border earlier this year.

Opinion

Editorial

Barren reforms
17 Jul, 2026

Barren reforms

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that agriculture and livestock hold the key to Pakistan’s quick...
Dumbing down?
17 Jul, 2026

Dumbing down?

THE awesome power of generative AI has raised concerns in academic and scientific circles about the impact the...
Eyeing the Margallas
17 Jul, 2026

Eyeing the Margallas

AS Pakistan battles a variety of climate crises, state institutions must do all possible to defend critical...
AJK violence
Updated 16 Jul, 2026

AJK violence

Violent confrontations have claimed some 30 lives of both security personnel and protesters since last month.
Deadly lapses
16 Jul, 2026

Deadly lapses

PAKISTAN has investigated too many HIV outbreaks over the past decade to still be surprised by the causes. The ...
Doomed tax initiative
16 Jul, 2026

Doomed tax initiative

THE FBR’s draft simplified tax regime for small shopkeepers is the latest in a long line of attempts to persuade...