In what is described as a shift in counterterrorism strategy, Pakistan’s military has begun using advanced drones to conduct highly precise operations against militants, a recently surfaced video suggests.
The footage, widely shared on social media, reportedly shows a drone strike in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area, where alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members were targeted.
A BBC report cited a video, circulated by pro-Pakistani army accounts, that captures a moment when individuals identified as militants gather inside a compound. Moments later, a guided munition strikes a specific room within the house, leaving the rest of the structure intact.
The surgical nature of the attack highlights the military’s growing reliance on precision strikes to neutralize threats while minimizing collateral damage.
Another video appears to show Pakistani forces raiding a compound, using quadcopter drones for real-time intelligence gathering. The footage, reportedly filmed by surveillance drones, suggests that military commanders were monitoring the operation in real-time.
Officials familiar with the operations, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that these videos mirror a series of similar missions executed over recent weeks. They pointed out that Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy has undergone significant technological upgrades, allowing for more precise targeting that minimizes collateral damage.
“Pakistan is now targeting threats more smartly than with traditional airstrikes,” an official stated. “Drone-assisted operations are proving to be more effective and less harmful, as they focus on specific targets and avoid unnecessary destruction.”
While the Pakistan Army’s Public Relations Department (ISPR) has yet to verify the authenticity of the videos, the documented use of advanced drones appears to be an evolution in military tactics against militant groups.
Pakistan’s Drone-Assisted Operations in Counterterrorism Strategy
While Pakistan’s recent drone-assisted intelligence-based operations (IBOs) are a key advancement in counterterrorism strategy, the deployment of armed drones itself is not a new phenomenon.
In 2015, when Pakistan conducted a successful test of the Burraq drone, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a laser-guided missile capable of precise strikes in all weather conditions, its leadership declared a clear intent to utilize this indigenous technology against terrorist groups, garnering quick international media attention.
At the time, Pakistani defense analysts hailed the achievement as a milestone, commending the nation’s engineers and scientists for their relentless efforts in developing cutting-edge military technology.
The introduction of armed drones, they argued, placed Pakistan in a league of its own, bringing the country closer to global military powers with advanced UAV capabilities.
Since then, Pakistan has expanded its drone operations and has carried out numerous strikes against militant organizations not only within its own borders but also across regional theaters, including Afghanistan and Iran.
However, as highlighted in the BBC report, recent intelligence-based operations have seen a shift in how drone technology is being utilized, moving from general airstrike missions to highly coordinated, intelligence-driven targeting.
According to Pakistan-based defense technology analyst Syed Muhammad Ali, the introduction of drones has fundamentally altered the decision-making process for military commanders.
Previously, when a target was identified, commanders had limited strike options, often involving large-scale military operations with significant collateral damage.
Drones now provide a surgical approach to help commanders to precisely eliminate threats with minimal risk to civilians. “It happens so carefully that collateral damage is negligible,” he explains.
Beyond military effectiveness, this shift has strategic benefits for Pakistan’s counterterrorism narrative. In the past, large-scale operations often led to extensive destruction, resulting in public criticism and reputational damage.
However, drone-assisted precision strikes enhance operational efficiency and improve public perception by demonstrating a more controlled and targeted approach. This shift also aligns with international law, which mandates clear differentiation between active combatants and non-combatants during warfare.
“Pakistan is now controlling the narrative during counterterrorism operations,” he added, emphasizing that this technological evolution reduces the need for heavy artillery and large-scale ammunition while still achieving strategic military objectives.
Pakistan Ranks As World’s 2nd Most Terrorism-Affected Nation
Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic escalation in militant attacks following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) growing more aggressive and emboldened.
The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has further reduced aerial surveillance and airstrikes, which provides the group with greater operational freedom.
According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025, Pakistan now ranks as the second-most affected country by terrorism, moving up from fourth place in the previous year.
The report highlights that the TTP is now the world’s fastest-growing terrorist organization, contributing to Pakistan’s worsening security situation.
The past year has seen a staggering 45% increase in terrorism-related fatalities, with deaths rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of attacks also more than doubled, surging from 517 to 1,099. This was the first time Pakistan has recorded over 1,000 terror incidents in a single year.
Recent high-profile attacks underscore the intensifying threat. In one incident, security forces repelled an attempted infiltration at the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eliminating all 16 assailants.
However, the clash resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and 13 civilians, as confirmed by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The TTP has been responsible for a major portion of the violence, with the group executing 482 attacks in 2024, leading to 585 fatalities—an alarming 91% increase from the previous year.
The report notes that since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the TTP has exploited cross-border sanctuaries to plan and execute operations with greater ease.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain the hardest-hit provinces and accounted for over 96% of terrorist incidents and casualties in 2024. Attacks by Baloch insurgents saw a steep rise, increasing from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024, with related fatalities soaring to 388.
Moreover, insurgent groups continue to target government assets, foreign investments, and projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing grievances over resource exploitation.
One of the deadliest attacks of 2024 was carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which orchestrated a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station, killing at least 25 soldiers and civilians.
With violence reaching unprecedented levels, Pakistan’s security forces face mounting challenges in containing militant activity, as terrorist groups continue to expand their reach and operational capabilities.
Pakistan’s Drone Fleet
Pakistan’s approach to aerial warfare has likely been shaped by its exposure to the combat effectiveness of US MQ-1 Predator drones, which, in the past, operated from its airspace.
Recognizing the strategic value of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the country has actively developed and expanded its drone fleet, integrating both domestically produced and foreign-acquired platforms to enhance its military capabilities.
Pakistan’s drone arsenal includes a mix of indigenous UAVs and advanced imported models. One of the most notable locally developed drones is the Shahpar, a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and manufactured by Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS).
This UAV features a 4.2-meter-long fuselage with a 6.6-meter wingspan, a cruising speed of 150 km/h, and an operational endurance exceeding seven hours.
Developed in collaboration with NESCOM, the Shahpar has a maximum takeoff weight of 480 kg and can operate at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters.
It was formally inducted into the Pakistan Army and Air Force in November 2013, primarily for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and disaster response operations.
Building upon the original Shahpar, Pakistan unveiled the Shahpar II in March 2021, an upgraded variant believed to have been in development since 2017. This new model exhibits multiple improvements, particularly in size, endurance, and operational altitude.
Classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, the Shahpar II has a 14-hour flight endurance, a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, and an extended data link range of 300 kilometers, making it well-suited for ISR and disaster relief operations.
Another locally developed UAV in Pakistan’s inventory is the SATUMA Jasoos II, an ISR and training drone utilized by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The Jasoos II has a 4.27-meter fuselage and a wingspan of 4.92 meters, with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 245 kg. It can reach speeds of 180 km/h, has a maximum range of 100 kilometers, and operates at altitudes of up to 3,480 meters with an endurance of six hours.
Beyond its domestic drone production, Pakistan has acquired several advanced UAVs from international suppliers. Its foreign drone inventory includes the SELEX Galileo from Italy, Luna UAVs from Germany, and the AAI RQ-7 Shadow from the United States. More recently, Pakistan has shown a strategic shift towards acquiring drones from Turkey, given their proven effectiveness in modern warfare.
In 2023, Pakistan received its first batch of Bayraktar Akinci combat drones from Turkey. The Akinci, meaning Raider in Turkish, is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV capable of carrying advanced weaponry.
It is designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and is equipped with a diverse range of missiles. The Akinci measures 12.2 meters in length, 4.1 meters in height, and has an impressive 20-meter wingspan. Its maximum takeoff weight is 6,000 kg, including a 1,500 kg payload, and it is capable of operating at 40,000 feet.
Additionally, Pakistan operates Bayraktar TB2 tactical armed drones, which gained global attention for their combat success in conflicts such as the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, where Azerbaijan used them effectively against Armenian forces.
China has also been a major drone supplier to Pakistan. The presence of Chinese Wing Loong I drones was confirmed in 2016 when one crashed near Mianwali Air Base.
Satellite images later identified two Wing Loong I UCAVs at the base between 2017 and 2018, indicating their operational use. After disappearing from imagery in 2019, the drones reappeared in 2021, though official details on their operators remain scarce.
The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) is believed to be the primary operator, following its procurement of the Wing Loong II in 2021. While initial reports suggested potential co-production of the Wing Loong II, no such program has materialized.
Through a combination of domestically built drones and high-end foreign acquisitions, Pakistan continues to expand its unmanned combat capabilities, positioning itself as one of the key regional powers in drone warfare.
- Contact the author at ashishmichel(at)gmail.com
- Follow EurAsian Times on Google News
