ISLAMABAD: A sophisticated American MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed just a fewkilometres from Kabul last week, marking a rare and intriguing incident inAfghanistan’s increasingly monitored airspace since the Taliban takeover.Taliban government sources speaking to BBC Pashto on condition of anonymityconfirmed the aircraft was indeed a US-manufactured MQ-9 Reaper, renownedfor its long-endurance surveillance and strike capabilities. The crashoccurred in Maidan Wardak province near the headquarters and trainingcentre of Taliban special forces, immediately raising questions about thecontinued presence of advanced American unmanned aerial vehicles overAfghan territory more than four years after the US withdrawal.
According to the Taliban sources, the drone suffered a technicalmalfunction that led to its uncontrolled descent and subsequent destructionupon impact. Eyewitness accounts from the ground reported seeing a seconddrone circling in the area at the time of the incident, fuellingspeculation about whether the crashed aircraft was operating in tandem withanother platform for reconnaissance or communication relay purposes. Theprecise nature of the technical failure remains undisclosed, leaving openthe possibility of mechanical issues, electronic interference or simply thenatural wear associated with prolonged high-altitude operations in a harshenvironment.
Taliban authorities have maintained official silence on the matter,choosing not to issue any public statement. However, a senior governmentofficial, again speaking anonymously, informed BBC that an investigationteam was promptly dispatched to the crash site. The wreckage was quicklyrecovered and transported to Kabul for detailed examination. Preliminaryobservations by Afghan officials strongly suggest the debris belongs to anAmerican drone, with visual characteristics matching those of the MQ-9Reaper. This measured response reflects the Taliban administration’scautious approach toward incidents involving foreign military technology.
Further credibility was added when another Taliban official showed BBCPashto several photographs of the downed aircraft. The images reportedlydisplay distinctive features of the MQ-9 Reaper, including itscharacteristic antenna configuration, fuselage design and the prominentforward-mounted dish-shaped antenna used for satellite communication.Independent review by BBC journalists concluded that the photographs appearauthentic, showing no signs of digital manipulation, thereby strengtheningthe claim that an American Reaper had indeed come down inTaliban-controlled territory.
The United States Department of Defense adopted a notably reserved stancewhen approached for comment. Pentagon officials provided only a briefstatement to BBC, declaring that they had “nothing to say” regarding thereported crash. This deliberate non-confirmation neither acknowledges nordenies the presence of MQ-9 operations over Afghanistan, preservingstrategic ambiguity at a time when Washington continues to monitor theregion closely through various intelligence means despite the formal end ofits military mission in 2021.
The MQ-9 Reaper remains one of the most capable unmanned aerial systems inthe American inventory, designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance,reconnaissance and precision strikes. Its ability to remain airborne forover 27 hours and operate at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet makes it aninvaluable asset for long-range missions. During the two-decade US-ledcampaign in Afghanistan, Reapers were extensively used for targetinginsurgent leaders, providing overwatch for ground forces and gatheringreal-time intelligence across vast and rugged terrain.
The appearance of such an advanced platform near Kabul in early 2026underscores the enduring geopolitical sensitivities surroundingAfghanistan. Although the United States officially ceased combat operationsand drone strikes following the Doha agreement and subsequent withdrawal,persistent rumours and occasional reports suggest that surveillance dronesmay continue limited operations from regional bases or through alliedpartnerships. The Wardak incident revives debate about the extent ofongoing American aerial activity and its implications for Talibansovereignty claims.
Taliban forces have repeatedly asserted control over Afghan airspace andhave on several occasions claimed to have forced foreign drones to leavetheir territory. The recovery and detailed examination of MQ-9 wreckagecould potentially provide valuable technical intelligence to the currentAfghan administration, including insights into sensors, communicationsystems and structural materials. Analysts suggest this development mayinfluence future Taliban negotiating positions regarding airspacemanagement and international recognition.
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The incident also highlights the challenges of verifying information in atightly controlled information environment. While Taliban sources providedaccess to photographs and limited details, the complete absence of officialstatements and the Pentagon’s reticence leave many aspects of the storyshrouded in uncertainty. The second drone reportedly observed during thecrash adds another layer of intrigue, possibly indicating coordinatedoperations or backup surveillance.
As investigations continue in Kabul, the downed Reaper serves as a tangiblereminder that advanced military technologies from the previous era stillcast long shadows over present-day Afghanistan, complicating the narrativeof complete foreign disengagement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/pashto
Tags: Afghanistan, Taliban, MQ-9 Reaper, United States, Maidan Wardak
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