ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday struck terrorist hideouts sin Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran, a day after Tehran violated the country’s airspace and launched strikes in Balochistan.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media affairs wing, the ISPR: “hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)” were struck in an intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that 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”.
🚨Exclusive Footage of MLRS on BLA and BLF in #Iran by the Armed Forces of #Pakistan
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar @OfficialDGISPR #ISPR pic.twitter.com/OjD8jsfvHG
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
Tuesday Iran had launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, Iranian state media 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.
🚨BLA and BLF Terrorists killed during precision Strikes in #Iran by the Armed Forces of #Pakistan
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar @OfficialDGISPR #ISPR
⚠️warning, sensitive images pic.twitter.com/3AiYxusX5r
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
Earlier after the attacks Thursday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar.”
“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,” the statement said.
In its statement, issued hours after the Foreign Office (FO) announced that Pakistan had carried out “precision military strikes” in Iran, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said “effective strikes” were carried out against hideouts inside Iran used by terrorists responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/1n5BvtEZBZ pic.twitter.com/VVf5VwL00L
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 18, 2024
“The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons. Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage,” it said.
The ISPR said hideouts used by BLA and BLF were successfully struck in the operation. “The targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others,” it said.
“Pakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure the safety of Pakistan citizens against acts of terrorism,” the army’s media wing stated.
“Our resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against any misadventure, remains unwavering. We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,” it said.
The ISPR added that “dialogue and cooperation” was deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two brotherly countries.
‘Initially IRNA reported three women and four children were killed’
Initially, IRNA reported three women and four children were killed in blasts. It later updated the death toll to nine.
“Two men were also killed in the missile attack this morning in one of the border villages of Saravan, bringing the death toll to nine,” the news agency said quoting Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province.
Iran condemned the strikes, and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaire “to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government,” according to a statement by foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
The FO statement said: “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,” said MOFA.
‘Islamabad fully respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran’
The Foreign Office said that Islamabad fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, adding that the sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
“As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.”
“Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions,” the statement added.
PM Kakar, FM Jilani cut short foreign trips
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar who is Davos for 54th meeting of the World Economic Forum, will cut short his visit, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Thursday.
“PM Kakar has decided to cut short his visit in view of the ongoing developments,” the FO spokesperson said at a presser.
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.
Baloch said that that Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all countries, including Iran.
Separately, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the government had lodged a protest with Iranian authorities over the “unprovoked violation” of its airspace.
China calls for restraint to avoid escalation of tension
“The China sincerely hopes that the two sides would exercise calm and restraint and avoid actions that may lead escalation of tension,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing in Beijing.
The Beijing also expressed willingness to intervene and defuse the tension.
“We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish,” she said.
Both the neighbours –Iran and nuclear-armed Pakistan have been grappling with insurgencies along their sparsely populated border regions.
Pakistan calls back ambassador from Tehran
Yesterday, the Foreign Office (FO) said Islamabad will recall ambassador from Tehran and Iranian ambassador, who was in his country currently, would not “return for time being.”
“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act and “unprovoked violation of airspace,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said in a post, adding “responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.”
“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being,” the FO spokesperson said.
“Last night’s unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
“We have conveyed this message to the Iranian Government. We have also informed them that. We have also decided to suspend all high level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in coming days,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Office (FO) after midnight, strikes in Pakistani territory resulted in “deaths of two innocent children while injuring of three girls”.
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”
