Various X (formerly Twitter) users falsely claimed that Afghan forces shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that entered Afghanistan’s airspace from Pakistan’s airbase, terming it a US operation from Pakistan against Pakistan, which turned out to be false claims.
According to sources, various posts on X by (@MeghUpdates, @AFGDefense, @elitepredatorss) falsely claim that “Afghan forces shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that entered Afghanistan from Pakistan’s airbase… proving US operations from Pakistan against Afghanistan.”
False claims here, here and here and are mostly Indian and Afghan handlers falsely accusing Pakistan of attempting to hide their own failures.
Yup, Munir sold Pakistan to the Americans AGAIN !
Afghan forces shot down a MQ-9 Reaper drone which entered Afghan airbase from Pakistan’s airbase.
Pakistan doesn’t have MQ-9s in their inventory, which confirms US operations from Pakistan against Afghanistan.
Expect Afghan… pic.twitter.com/SUwsBrRv2S
— Elite Predators (@elitepredatorss) January 1, 2026
WHAT CREDIBLE SOURCES SAY
No credible international media outlet (Reuters, AP, BBC, Al Jazeera, etc.) has reported a US MQ-9 Reaper being shot down, crashed, or lost in Afghanistan in January 2026.
Afghan-based news outlets (Khaama Press, Ariana News, Afghanistan International) reported the incident only as an unidentified drone crash in Maidan Wardak province on January 1, 2026 (early morning, mountainous area near Maidan Shahr). No mention of shoot-down by Afghan/Taliban forces, no mention of US origin, no mention of launch from Pakistan, and no casualties/damage confirmed. Taliban local authorities issued no official statement.
Link: https://www.khaama.com/unidentified-drone-reportedly-crashes-in-maidan-wardak-afghanistan/
No US Drone Bases in Pakistan Since 2011
After the Salala incident (Nov 2011), where NATO airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan made the Shamsi airbase vacated by the US by December 11, 2011. U.S. drone operations were shifted to Afghan bases (The NewYork Times).
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/world/asia/cia-leaves-pakistan-base-used-for-drone-strikes.html
Drone Identification:
The wreckage remains unidentified in credible official reports, with conflicting claims circulating on social media.
Wreckage Analysis:
Drone Wreckage Update:
The wreckage remains *unidentified* in official reports, with conflicting claims on social media.
Wreckage Details:
Fragments: Grey fuselage, propeller engine, curved wings with upward tips, sensor housing, and wiring. No visible markings or serial numbers.
Inspection: Taliban inspecting wreckage without advanced tools.
Heron vs. MQ-9:
Heron (Israeli, used by India)*: Small, single-engine, straight wings with downward winglets. *Doesn’t match* wreckage, wings are straight and smaller (~16.6m wingspan).
MQ-9 Reaper/SkyGuardian (US/India)*: Matches wreckage better – *V-tail*, *turboprop engine*, and *curved winglets* (especially the *MQ-9B variant* with ~24m wingspan). Used for *high-altitude ISR missions*. https://x.com/Mohsin_o2/status/2007055519056576629
Why Not US-Operated?
The *US* operates *MQ-9A* from Qatar, but the *MQ-9B* is rare. *India* leased *31 MQ-9B drones* (2020-2023) for ISR along the *LAC/Pakistan border.
Some Afghan posts claim the wreckage is an *Indian-operated Heron* or *Indian MQ-9B*, used for *espionage* in Afghan airspace.
Link: https://x.com/FreshtaN94214/status/2007026616216732042
FACTS CHECKLIST
No official confirmation by ISPR, US Department of Defence.
No reporting found by credible outlets (Reuters/AP/BBC/Al Jazeera etc.)
Location/time proof of wreckage is not provided.
FINAL VERDICT
Unverified / Completely False.
There is no credible evidence provided that an MQ-9 was shot down in Afghanistan after entering from Pakistan, or that this proves US operations from Pakistani airbases. Whereas no Pakistani airbase has been in US use since 2011.
ADVISORY
Don’t forward such posts as “confirmed” unless reported by ISPR, MoIB / Govt of Pakistan.
Always check the credible media verification before sharing.
Always check official sources before sharing.
