NEW DELHI – Pakistan on Thursday carried out strikes against “terrorist hideouts” in Iran, a day after warning Tehran of “serious consequences” over its attack on the Balochi group Jaish al-Adl’s headquarters in its territory.
“A number of terrorists” were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said, according to media reports.
Pakistan has hit Iran with what it described as “highly coordinated” military strikes, a little more than 24 hours after Iranian air strikes in Balochistan, further raising tensions between the neighbours and sparking fears of a broader conflict.
On Thursday morning, according to a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan conducted what it called an “intelligence-based operation” against hideouts of armed groups in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran.
“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in an official statement.
Calling Iran a “brotherly country”, Islamabad said that the action was a “manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve” to protect and defend its national security against all threats, NDTV reports.
“The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised,” the Ministry said, adding that Islamabad “fully respects” the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.
Iranian media reported that nine people including four children were killed in the attack.
Pakistan reacted to the Iranian strike – which killed two children and injured three others – by calling it “unacceptable” and said the country reserves the right to respond to this “illegal act”.
The ministry in its statement on Thursday said that during the last several years, Iran has been informed about safe havens enjoyed by armed rebel groups seeking secession for Balochistan, Pakistan’s southwestern province which borders Iran.
“Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists,” the ministry said.
However, it added, that due to lack of action from the Iranian government, Pakistan chose to respond considering “credible intelligence”.
“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised,” the statement added.
Pakistan had earlier recalled its envoy from Tehran in a series of moves to show its displeasure with the Iranian attack. It also said that it would bar Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad – who is currently out of Pakistan – from returning to the mission. — Al Jazeera with media inputs
