NEW DELHI: Pakistan conducted precision military strikes on terrorist hideouts in Iranโs Siestan-o-Baluchistan province.
The strikes, codenamed โMarg Bar Sarmachar,โ were described as highly coordinated and specifically targeted, resulting in the elimination of several terrorists, according to a statement released by the Pakistani government. Four children and three women were killed in the attacks, Iranian media reported.
The military action followed Iranโs missile and drone strikes on Tuesday, targeting bases of the Balochi militant group Jaish al Adl in Pakistanโs Panjgur town in Balochistan province.
FLASH: Pakistan condemns Iranian airstrike within its borders. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan labelled it an โunprovoked violation of airspaceโ, stating that two children lost their lives in the incident. #AirStrike #Pakistanโฆ pic.twitter.com/CVPDQZdk9z
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 17, 2024
The Iranian strikes deemed a serious breach of Pakistanโs sovereignty, prompted a swift response from Pakistan, which recalled its ambassador from Iran and suspended high-level bilateral visits.
In a press statement, the Pakistan government said, โThis morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. Several terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation โ codenamed โMarg Bar Sarmacharโ.
Expressing Pakistanโs condemnation of Iranโs attack, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasised the serious damage caused to bilateral ties between the two nations.Jilani asserted Pakistanโs right to respond to the provocation, marking a further strain on already rocky relations.
The United States condemned Iranโs actions, with the Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller expressing disapproval of Iran violating the sovereign borders of three neighbouring countries.
BREAKING: TENSE MOMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN #Iranโs Defense Minister asserts missile strikes on #Pakistan were a defensive move, citing the right to protect sovereignty. While prioritizing diplomacy, warns of future actions if national interests are jeopardized. Situationโฆ pic.twitter.com/70zM2kS84h
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 17, 2024
While condemning the strikes, the U.S. urged for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, emphasising the need for both Pakistan and Iran to exercise restraint.
China, too, called for restraint from both sides, urging Pakistan and Iran to avoid actions that could escalate tensions and emphasising the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, India took a neutral stance, describing the conflict as a matter between Iran and Pakistan. India reaffirmed its commitment to zero tolerance towards terrorism and acknowledged the right of countries to take actions in self-defence.
In response to the strikes, Iranโs Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian insisted that Iran had warned Pakistan against cross-border operations and clarified that the missiles and drones had targeted the Iranian terrorist group Jaish al-Adl. He said that no nationals of Pakistan were targeted in the strikes.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khanโs party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, expressed concern over the deterioration of relations with Iran, following similar strains with India and Afghanistan. The party attributed the situation to what it deemed as failed foreign and defence policies.
Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized the attack, stating it went against the spirit of friendship and principles of good neighbourliness, undermining the historic relationship between the two countries.
