SRINAGAR: Pakistan has launched retaliatory missile strikes into Iran, resulting in the reported death of seven people.
Pakistan, as per various media reports said the action was taken based on “concrete” evidence of the presence of “Pakistan-origin terrorists” in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province. This came two days after Iran had said that it had bombed two bases of Baluchi militant group Jaish al-Adl. The militant group has previously mounted attacks on Iranian security forces in the border area with Pakistan.
Pakistan had strongly condemned the action, and said that it was a “violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations” between the two countries”. On Thursday, Pakistan said it enjoys a “brotherly” relationship with Iran, but the strikes were undertaken in pursuit of its “national security”.
The reciprocal air strikes occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, involving Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, exchanges with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and attacks on US forces by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. Additionally, the US and UK have struck Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking shipping.
Pakistan and Iran have long accused each other of harbouring militant groups along their shared border. Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed the strikes, emphasising “credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities” and asserting its commitment to defending national security.
Iran had previously struck an area in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, prompting condemnation from Pakistan. Iran insisted its strikes targeted Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baloch Sunni Muslim group responsible for attacks inside Iran, not Pakistani citizens.
China, a strong ally of both nations, urged restraint to avoid escalation.
Analysts noted that Pakistan’s response matched Iran’s and highlighted the risk of escalation. Michael Kugelman from the Wilson Centre stated, “In effect, the two sides are even now.”
Iran’s recent strikes were linked to the turbulent dynamics in the Middle East. Tehran expressed a desire to avoid broader conflicts but supported groups targeting Israel and its allies in solidarity with the Palestinians.
