Pakistan Conducts Military Strikes Against Separatist Militant Hideouts in Iranian Territory
Pakistan announced military attacks against hideouts of separatist militants inside Iran.
According to reports published by government news agencies, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out strikes on Tuesday evening, December 26, using missiles and drones to destroy two headquarters of the “Jaish al-Adl” group in Pakistani territory.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also responded on Wednesday, December 27, to Iran’s missile strike on Pakistani soil by recalling its ambassador from Tehran and announcing that the Iranian ambassador cannot currently return to Islamabad. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister also stated during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister “Hossein Amir-Abdollahian”: “Islamabad has the right to respond to Tehran’s unjustified violation of this country’s airspace, and we reserve this right.”
“Jalil Abbas Jilani” while unconditionally condemning Iran’s aerial attack on Pakistani territory stated: “This incident has caused serious damage to bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. This attack is not only a serious violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, but constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.”
Islamabad, following warnings issued the previous day, announced on Thursday, December 27, that it had conducted a series of precise, coordinated, and targeted military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.
The Foreign Ministry regarding the aforementioned operation, titled “Death to the Sarmachar,” issued a statement declaring that this action was carried out based on credible intelligence about imminent activities by the “Sarmachar” (militant fighters).
The statement also stated: “In recent years, Pakistan has consistently raised serious concerns with Iran regarding Pakistani terrorists who call themselves Sarmachar and their sanctuaries and hideouts in uncontrolled areas within Iran, and has also shared multiple cases of the presence and activities of these terrorists with Iran with concrete evidence.”
The security deputy of Sistan and Baluchestan confirmed this morning’s explosions and stated: “Three women and four children were killed in the said explosion, all of whom were foreign nationals.” Hours later, news emerged of the death of two men in one of the border villages of Saravan, bringing the total death toll to nine.
Matthew Miller, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, also condemned Iran’s attacks that targeted Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday, stating: “Tehran has violated the borders of three neighboring countries in recent days.”
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also announced in a speech that Iran’s attacks on Pakistan were aimed at destroying the headquarters of the Jaish al-Adl group and that Tehran respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but will not allow Iran’s national security to be compromised.
