BLA and BLF hideouts inside Iran successfully attacked in IBO, says ISPR; Iranian state media confirms death of 7 non-Iranians
- Pakistan carried out effective strikes against terrorist hideouts – ISPR.
- The military says every care has been taken to avoid collateral damage.
- ISPR emphasizes the need for dialogue to resolve bilateral issues.
Pakistan Army on Thursday shared details of the strike operation against militants in Iran saying that hideouts used by terrorist organisations, namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), were successfully attacked in an intelligence-based operation, codenamed: “Marg Bar Sarmachar”.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that in the early hours of Thursday, Pakistan carried out effective strikes against hideouts inside Iran used by terrorists responsible for the recent attacks in Pakistan.
“Precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and engagement weapons. “Utmost care was taken to avoid collateral damage,” he added.
The army's media wing said the targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias President, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, among others.
“The Pakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure the security of the citizens of Pakistan against acts of terrorism,” the statement added.
The ISPR said the resolve of the armed forces to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan are respected and safeguarded against any misfortune remains unwavering.
“We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,” he added.
The army's media wing also highlighted the need for dialogue and cooperation to resolve bilateral issues between the “two neighboring brotherly countries”.
The ISPR statement comes hours after the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Pakistan attacked terrorist hideouts inside the Iranian border after Iran violated the country's sovereignty and launched an attack in Balochistan that left two boys dead and three girls injured. .
“This morning Pakistan carried out a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Iranian province of Siestan-o-Baluchistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The statement said several terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation, codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar”.
The development came after Tehran claimed on Tuesday night that it had launched “missiles and drones” at the headquarters of the Jaish al-Adl group in the “Green Mountain” area of Balochistan.
Pakistan denounced the attack near the nations' shared border.
“Last night's flagrant and unprovoked violation of Pakistan's sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Wednesday. , it's a statement.
The FO, in its statement following today's attacks, said that over the past few years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists of Pakistani origin who are called “Sarmachars” in the ungoverned spaces within Iran.
Pakistan also shared multiple files with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists, he added.
However, due to lack of action on our grave 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 information regarding imminent large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars,” the statement read.
Islamabad said the action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unwavering determination to protect and defend its national security against all threats.
“The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testament to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary measures to preserve the security of its people, which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.”
However, the statement said that Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and that the sole objective of today's act is the 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 United Nations Charter, including the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights under international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be questioned, under any pretext or circumstance.”
Terming Iran as a brotherly country, the FO said that the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people.
“We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation to address common challenges, including the threat of terrorism, and will continue to strive to find joint solutions.”
Later, in her weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar will cut short his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Iran.
“He has decided to shorten his visit in view of the ongoing events,” he added.
A day earlier, hours after Iran's unprovoked attack, Islamabad also downgraded its ties with Tehran, expelled Iran's ambassador and recalled its envoy in Tehran.
Islamabad also announced the suspension of all high-level visits that were ongoing or planned between Pakistan and Iran in the coming days.
Acting Foreign Minister Khalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday told his Iranian counterpart that no country should follow its path of unilaterally launching an attack on the soil of a neighboring nation against the threat of terrorism.
“No country in the region should go down this dangerous path,” Jilani told Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a phone call hours after Tehran claimed it had attacked “terrorists” in Pakistan.
China, close partners of Iran and Pakistan, urged restraint, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying both should “avoid actions that lead to an escalation of tension.” He has also offered to mediate between Tehran and Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the United States condemned Iranian attacks in Pakistan, Iraq and Syria, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller saying Tehran had violated the “sovereign borders of three of its neighbors in recent days.”
Seven dead in Pakistan attacks
An Iranian provincial security official quoted by state news agency IRNA said seven people “who were not Iranian nationals” were killed during Pakistan's missile attack on the southeastern Iranian city early Thursday.
The attack, which took place at 04:05 local time (03:35 GMT), targeted an Iranian border village, Ali Reza Marhamati, deputy governor general of Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran, told IRNA. .
The security official discovered this after several explosions were heard in the vicinity of Sravan, he added.
Among the dead were three women and four children, according to the Iranian official.
He went on to say that another explosion occurred near Saravan, but fortunately it caused no casualties.
Saravan is located 347 kilometers southeast of Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Balochistan, which borders Pakistan.
Pakistan begins 'strict surveillance'
Amid escalating tensions in relations between Islamabad and Tehran, Pakistan has started strict monitoring of all flights coming from the West, including Iran, sources told Geo News.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is monitoring air activities over the western border and authorities have been ordered to remain alert regarding all flights coming from the west.
Sources said air traffic control has also been instructed to collect details of all Western flights, including Iran. Earlier, there was no tracking of flights arriving in Pakistan from the West, CAA sources said.
Sources said no directives have been issued to stop commercial flights between Iran and Pakistan.
CAA Director General Khaqan Murtaza also confirmed that no decision has yet been taken to close Pakistan's airspace to Iran and that no instructions have been received from the government.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.
