According to several media reports, the Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes on suspected Baloch separatist camps in Iranian territory on Thursday. According to the reports, the target locations were believed to be hideouts of Baloch militants wanted by Pakistan.
Pakistan carries out retaliatory strikes against Baloch separatist hideout camps. (Alleged images of the strikes)“I can only confirm that we have carried out attacks against anti-Pakistani militant groups that were attacked in Iran,” AFP quoted a senior intelligence source as saying.
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Pakistan's foreign ministry later confirmed the attacks, claiming “a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-backed operation codenamed 'Marg Bar Sarmachar'.”
This action follows Iranian Air strikes in PakistanIslamabad then asserted its “right to respond to the “provocative act.”
Tensions between the two neighbors escalated after Iran insisted it had successfully cracked down on militant elements operating from Pakistani soil. However, Pakistan rejected these claims, claiming that the Iranian action resulted in civilian casualties and not the intended attack on militants.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stressed in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart that the attack was “not only a serious violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, but also a serious violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations” between the two countries, he said spokesman said in a statement.
Pakistan also recalled its ambassador to Iran and prevented Tehran's envoy from returning to Islamabad after the Iranian airstrike.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian insisted that his country's forces had targeted the “Iranian terrorist group” Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan.
“None of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country Pakistan have been attacked by Iranian missiles and drones,” he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, responding to media queries on Iranian airstrikes, India said it has complete zero tolerance towards terrorism and understands the measures taken by countries in their self-defense.
“This is an issue between Iran and Pakistan. As far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. We understand the measures countries are taking in their self-defense,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs. said in a statement.
(With contributions from agencies)