On Thursday, the Pakistan Air Force initiated airstrikes targeting alleged Baloch separatist camps situated within Iranian territory, as reported by multiple media outlets citing informed sources. The strikes focused on locations believed to harbor hideouts of Baloch militants wanted by Pakistan.
“I can only confirm that we have conducted strikes against anti-Pakistan militant groups that were targeted inside Iran,” stated a senior intelligence source, as quoted by AFP.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently confirmed the airstrikes, asserting that a “number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation,” codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar.”
This action comes in response to Iranian airstrikes in Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to emphasize its “right to respond” to what it deemed a “provocative act.”
Tensions heightened between the two neighboring nations after Iran claimed success in targeting militant elements operating from Pakistani soil. Pakistan contested these assertions, stating that the Iranian action resulted in civilian casualties instead of the intended strike against militants.
During a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani underscored that the attack constituted “a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty” and was a “violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations.”
As a diplomatic response, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Iran and prevented Tehran’s envoy from returning to Islamabad following the Iranian airstrike.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, maintained that the Iranian armed forces had targeted the “Iranian terrorist group” Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan. He assured that no nationals of Pakistan were harmed in the strikes.
India, responding to media queries on the Iranian airstrikes, reiterated its unwavering stance of zero tolerance for terrorism. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defense.”
