9 dead in Pakistan's strike in Iran
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Pakistan hits Baloch separatist groups in Iran
Pakistan on Thursday launched air strikes within Iran, aiming at Baluchi militant groups. This action comes two days following Iran's own strikes on Pakistani soil."This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran," a foreign ministry statement said, adding that a "number of terrorists were killed"."Iran is a brotherly country and people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for Iranian people," the foreign ministry statement said.Several missiles launched from Pakistan's direction hit a border village in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province, a security official from the province said on Thursday according to the semi-official Young Journalist Club news agency.The official added that at least three women and four children were killed in one of the explosions, specifying that none were Iranian nationals.Pakistan strike reportedly focused on positions held by two Baloch separatist factions, namely the Balochistan Liberation Front and the Balochistan Liberation Army, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.The Foreign Office of Pakistan, in its statement, expressed longstanding concerns regarding the safe havens and sanctuaries within Iran that are utilized by terrorists of Pakistani origin, self-identified as Sarmachars. Despite sharing multiple dossiers containing concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists, Pakistan's concerns have remained unaddressed, leading to continued attacks against Pakistani citizens. "This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars," the statement added.Emphasizing the operation's significance, the foreign office remarked, "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." It further asserted Pakistan's commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its people, which it regards as "sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred."Sources from Pakistan revealed that the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Pakistan Armed Forces initiated lethal counterinsurgency-specific precision airstrikes inside Iran shortly before 0600 hours (local time) today. These strikes, pre-authorized by the government of Pakistan, aimed to preemptively target and eliminate imminent terrorist threats to Pakistan. "These strikes were conducted successfully using Pakistan Air Force fighter jets using stand-off extended range munitions, while they remained inside Pakistani airspace," a source disclosed.The operation targeted seven locations, identified after confirming the presence of multiple high-value terrorist targets through extensive aerial reconnaissance using unmanned aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force's aircraft engaged these targets inside Iran with precision-guided air-to-ground munitions after dawn, focusing on the Balochistan-centric terrorist organization Balochistan Liberation Force. The targets, situated over 80 kilometers inside Iranian territory, were chosen with the assurance that no Iranian civilians or military personnel would be harmed.Tuesday's strikes on Pakistan followed a series of attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, including ballistic missile strikes targeting what was claimed to be a spy base for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad in Erbil, northern Iraq, and "anti-Iran terror groups" in Syria. Iran said that the strikes in Iraq were in retaliation for Israeli attacks that resulted in the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders, and claimed that the targets in Syria were involved in recent bombings in the city of Kerman during a memorial for the slain Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani.Iranian news agency Mehrnews said the "missile and drone" attack targeted the Jaish al-Adl group's headquarters in Pakistan, calling it "another decisive step taken by Iran in response to the aggression against the security of our country".Pakistan's official statement did not specify where the strike took place, but Pakistani media said it was near Panjgur in southwest Balochistan province, where the countries share a sparsely populated border of nearly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). "This violation of Pakistan's sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences," Pakistan's foreign ministry statement said. It said the strike caused the "death of two innocent children while injuring three girls".Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.The Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), founded in 1964 by Juma Khan Marri in Damascus, Syria, is a militant group advocating for an independent Baloch state. The group's history is marked by significant insurgencies against the governments of Iran and Pakistan, reflecting its enduring struggle for Baloch autonomy. Notably, during the Iranian Baloch revolt from 1968 to 1973, the BLF, backed by Iraqi support, confronted the Iranian monarchy but eventually faced defeat and negotiated an end to the conflict. The group's quest for independence continued in Pakistan, where, from 1973 to 1977, it spearheaded the Independent Movement of Balochistan. Despite receiving covert support from foreign nations and facing a strong military response from the Pakistani government, the BLF's insurgency concluded with a general amnesty in 1977.In 2004, under the leadership of Allah Nazar Baloch, the BLF resurfaced, asserting its presence through numerous attacks targeting civilians, government officials, and military personnel, particularly in Balochistan. The group vehemently opposes the exploitation of Balochistan's resources and cultural suppression by the Pakistani government, as well as foreign interventions, notably from China. Despite being labeled a terrorist organization by Pakistan and facing internal rifts and competition from other Baloch militant factions, the BLF remains a formidable force with a significant support base.(With inputs from agencies)