The Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Thursday that it had carried out military strikes against militants opposed to Islamabad within Iran, following Tehran’s strikes in Pakistan two days prior. Amid rising tensions, China has offered mediation to prevent further escalation between the two countries.
In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry declared, “Pakistan conducted a series of highly coordinated and precise military strikes this morning against terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province,” specifically targeting the so-called armed Baluchistan Liberation Army within Iran.
The ministry added that the action was taken “in light of reliable intelligence information about imminent widespread terrorist activities.”
Al Jazeera’s correspondent quoted Pakistani sources saying the strikes in Sistan and Baluchistan hit six targets within three sites, reaching 40 to 50 kilometers inside Iranian territory.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated several “terrorists” were killed during the operation, which was based on actionable intelligence information.
In response, the Iranian news agency reported nine individuals were killed due to the Pakistani attack, and Iranian state media specified that the dead included three women and four children, all of Pakistani nationality.
Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the Pakistani charge d’affaires in Tehran for clarification regarding the assault, with Iranian state television citing an informed source who said, “We condemn Pakistan’s attack and demand an immediate explanation of the incident.”
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry informed that the interim Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar will be curtailing his visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum due to the current developments.
Islamabad “fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” according to the ministry, which emphasized that “the sole purpose of today’s action was to safeguard Pakistan’s security and its paramount national interests, which are of utmost importance and inviolable.”
Mediation Offer
As tensions mount, China has stepped forward to mediate between Pakistan and Iran. “The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can calm down, exercise restraint, and avoid escalating tensions,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a routine press conference. She added, “We are ready to play a constructive role in de-escalation if the parties so desire.”
Pakistan had previously warned Iran of “grave consequences” after Tehran announced it targeted two locations with “missiles and drones” that it claimed were bases for the armed “Jaish al-Adl” group in Pakistani territory.
The Iranian strikes within Pakistan destroyed two bases used by “Jaish al-Adl,” as reported by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, while the Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated the attack resulted in the death of two innocent children and injured three girls.
“Jaish al-Adl” has previously claimed responsibility for several attacks in southeastern Iran, categorized as a “terrorist organization” by both the United States and Iran.
Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Iran on Wednesday, and the relations between Pakistan and Iran have experienced strains in the past, with both Tehran and Islamabad repeatedly accusing each other of allowing armed elements operating from their territories to launch attacks. However, direct intervention by the two governments’ forces has been rare, and the recent strikes represent the most significant cross-border operation in the past few years.
