Pakistan retaliates, hits Iran targets; 9 killed in airstrikes
Pakistan on Thursday struck targets in Iran, a day after warning Tehran of "serious consequences" following its missile attacks on the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl's headquarters in Balochistan, reports said. Islamabad allegedly targeted the strongholds of two Baloch separatist organizations in Iran, the Balochistan Liberation Front and the Balochistan Liberation Army. At least nine people have been killed in the assault, Reuters said.
Why does this story matter?
Earlier this week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked the "espionage headquarters" of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The elite force also said it struck in Syria against the Islamic State. Regional tensions have soared during the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, drawing in Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Had information on 'large-scale terror activities' in Iran: Pakistan
Pakistan said that several terrorists were killed in the operation "Marg Bar Sarmachar." "In our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists... Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran." "This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities...Sarmachars," Pakistan's official statement said.
Pakistan's statement on Marg Bar Sarmachar
Iran a brotherly country, says Pakistan
In its statement Pakistan also said that it upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. "Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism...," the statement said.
Pakistan expelled Iranian ambassador, recalled envoy
The airstrikes come after Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Tehran and expelled the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan. On Tuesday, Iranian state media had reported that missiles targeted and destroyed two bases in Pakistan belonging to the Balochi terrorist group, Jaish al-Adl. Consequently, all current and planned high-level visits between the two nations have been put on pause.
Responsibility of consequences will lie with Iran: Pakistan
Earlier, Pakistan issued a "strong condemnation" over the "unprovoked violation of its airspace" by Iran. According to the Associated Press (AP), Tuesday's strikes took place in the town of Panjgur near the Iranian border, damaging a mosque 50km inside Pakistani territory. "The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran," Pakistan said in an official release after the violation of its airspace.
What India said on Iran's attack on Pakistan
India on Wednesday said that Iran's missile attack on Pakistan is an issue that concerns only those two nations "Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero tolerance towards terrorism," External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "We (India) understand actions that countries take in their self-defense," he added.
