Less than 48 hours after Iranian missile attacks in Pakistan’s troubled Baluchistan province, Islamabad has responded with a similar attack targeting terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.
According to a statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. Meanwhile, Iranian state propaganda machine IRNA reported nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead “were foreign nationals”.
Earlier, on January 16, Iran launched missile attacks in Pakistan targeting bases of Jaish al-Adl militancy group in the border town of Panigur in Balochistan.
Iranian state propaganda machines reported, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad and downgrading of diplomatic ties. The Iranian strikes were part of a series of attacks carried out by Iran in recent days in Syria and Iraq as a response to recent terrorist attacks on its territory. They have heightened concerns about regional stability, particularly amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement said Pakistan undertook a series of “highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes” against terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province.
“Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists”, it said.
“However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars.
“This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces”.
“Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred”, Pakistan foreign ministry added.
In a press briefing later in the day, spokesperson of Pakistan foreign ministry Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who is currently in Switzerland for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), had decided to cut short his visit “in light of the developments”.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is in Uganda to attend a ministerial meeting of the non-aligned movement, had also decided to return to the country.
Meanwhile, Beijing said it was willing to mediate between Pakistan and Iran following the recent developments.
“The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension”, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.
“We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish”, she added.
A day earlier, Pakistan had downgraded its diplomatic relations with Iran, recalling its ambassador from Tehran and expelling the Iranian envoy in Islamabad, in the wake of Iranian missile and drone strikes in Panjgur, Balochistan.
According to experts, missile strikes and counter-strikes between Islamabad and Tehran may turn into a full-blown war while hundreds of thousands of Hamas-loyalists inside Pakistan may resort to terrorist acts targeting key-point-installations of Pakistan Armed Forces and its intelligence agency ISI. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan supports Hamas notoriety on Israel and its caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had earlier openly expressed solidarity to terrorist acts of Hamas.
In my opinion, if tension between Islamabad and Tehran is not resolved, Iranian proxies such as Hamas, Houthis and Shite militias in Iraq may launch similar attacks on Pakistan.
