<\/p>\n
Pakistan on Thursday morning struck terrorist hideouts in Iran\u2019s Siestan-o-Baluchistan province, less than 48 hours after Iran violated its airspace<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), Pakistan undertook a series of \u201chighly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes\u201d and killed a number of terrorists during the intelligence-based operation codenamed \u2018Marg Bar Sarmachar\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n Key developments<\/strong><\/p>\n Iran on Tuesday had laun\u00adched attacks<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The FO statement on Thursday morning said: \u201cOver 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<\/em> on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars<\/em> continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning\u2019s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis action is a manifestation of Pakistan\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred,\u201d said FO.<\/p>\n The statement stressed that Pakistan \u201cfully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran\u201d, adding \u201cthe sole objective of today\u2019s act was in pursuit of Pakistan\u2019s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasised dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavour to find joint solutions,\u201d it concluded.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Iranian state media reported that at least three women and four children were killed in the Pakistani strikes on Iran\u2019s southeast border region.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan attacked an Iranian border village with missiles,\u201d state television said, quoting Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of Iran\u2019s Siestan-o-Baluchistan province.<\/p>\n \u201cThree women and four children were killed in this incident. All non-Iranian nationals,\u201d he added, noting that the attack targeted a village near the city of Saravan on the border with Pakistan.<\/p>\n In a press briefing later in the day, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who is currently in Switzerland for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), had decided to cut short his visit \u201cin light of the developments\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In response to a question, Baloch asserted that Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all countries, including Iran. \u201cBut we have also said that Pakistan\u2019s security and sovereignty is sacrosanct and Pakistan remains ready and is willing to protect itself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The FO spokesperson added that operational details pertaining to the recent developments would be coming soon from Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).<\/p>\n To another query, Baloch said Islamabad had no interest in escalating the situation and hoped that \u201cour adversaries understand this\u201d. She went on to say that Pakistan had always chosen the path of dialogue and would continue to engage with neighbours to ensure peace prevailed.<\/p>\n Separately, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the government had lodged a protest with Iranian authorities over the \u201cunprovoked violation\u201d of its airspace.<\/p>\n He confirmed that the \u201cillegal move\u201d was under investigation, state-run Radio Pakistan<\/em> reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Solangi said Pakistan would take appropriate measures while keeping the relevant international laws in view, especially regarding the sovereignty of the state.<\/p>\n\n
PM, FM to cut short foreign visits<\/h2>\n
Airspace violation<\/h2>\n