Bombs are fired following Iranian bombings on Pakistani soil, targeting hideouts of separatist militants
The Pakistani government announced on Thursday morning (January 18, 2024) the launch of air strikes against hideouts of separatist militants in southeastern Iran. The action follows similar attacks by Tehran on Pakistani territory.
“This morning, Pakistan carried out a series of highly coordinated and targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Iran's SiestanoBalochistan province,” Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Several terrorists were killed,” he added. You can find the full statement in English here (PDF 249 kB).
In the text, Pakistan justified the attack by citing Iran's inaction in fighting Pakistaniorigin terrorists of the Sarmachars group on Iranian territory. Islamabad (the capital of Pakistan) said it had shared documents with Tehran showing the paramilitary group's activities in Iran, but that nothing had been done to combat it.
“Failure to address our serious concerns, the socalled Sarmachars continued to shed the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s actions were taken in light of credible information about impending terrorist activities,” the Pakistani government said.
However, he said he “fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” And he added: “The sole aim of today's law was to pursue Pakistan's own security and national interests, which are of utmost importance and must not be compromised.”
Iran attacked Pakistan
The launch follows a reverse move: “strikes with precision missiles and drones” that Iran carried out on Tuesday evening (January 16) against Sunni militants from the Jeysh alAdl group in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. The information was published by the Tasnim news agency (aligned with the Iranian state).
Echoing the Pakistan government, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that his country respects Pakistan's sovereignty but his country will not allow anyone to play with its security. Amirabdollahian was asked about this topic while attending the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2024.