<\/p>\n
Pakistan on Thursday morning struck terrorist hideouts in Iran\u2019s Sistan-Baluchestan province, less than 48 hours after Iran violated its airspace<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to a statement issued by the military\u2019s media affairs wing, \u201chideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front\u201d were struck in an intelligence-based operation codenamed \u2018Marg Bar Sarmachar\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Iran\u2019s IRNA<\/em> news agency reported nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead \u201cwere foreign nationals\u201d.<\/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 In its statement on Thursday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan carried out \u201ceffective strikes\u201d against hideouts inside Iran used by terrorists responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan.<\/p>\n \u201cThe precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons. Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cHideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck in an intelligence-based operation, code name \u2018Marg Bar Sarmachar\u2019<\/em>,\u201d the military\u2019s media affairs wing said.<\/p>\n It said the targeted hideouts were being used by \u201cnotorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure the safety of Pakistan citizens against acts of terrorism,\u201d the ISPR stated.<\/p>\n \u201cOur resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against any misadventure, remains unwavering. We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n The ISPR added that \u201cdialogue and cooperation\u201d was deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two brotherly countries.<\/p>\n Earlier today, the Foreign Office (FO) said Pakistan undertook a series of \u201chighly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes\u201d against terrorist hideouts in Iran\u2019s Sistan-Baluchestan province.<\/p>\n \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 it said.<\/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 Initially, IRNA<\/em> reported three women and four children were killed in blasts. It later updated the death toll to nine.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo men were also killed in the missile attack this morning in one of the border villages of Saravan, bringing the death toll to nine,\u201d the news agency said quoting Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of Iran\u2019s Sistan-Baluchestan province.<\/p>\n Iran condemned the strikes, and summoned Pakistan\u2019s charge d\u2019affaire \u201cto protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government,\u201d according to a statement by foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.<\/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 The FO spokesperson further stated that she was not aware of any third-party mediation between Iran and Pakistan, adding that the countries have separate channels of communication.<\/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>. Solangi said Pakistan would take appropriate measures while keeping the relevant international laws in view, especially regarding the sovereignty of the state.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Beijing said it was willing to mediate between Pakistan and Iran following the recent developments.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension,\u201d foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n It must be noted that Pakistan and Iran are close partners of Beijing and members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation \u2014 a political and security union of countries spanning much of Eurasia, including China, India and Russia.<\/p>\n Mao reiterated Iran and Pakistan were \u201cfriendly countries to China, and countries with important influence\u201d.<\/p>\n Separately, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan would not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity and would take \u201call necessary measures to defend its soil\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe lauded the professionalism of the Armed Forces of Pakistan that targeted the terrorist hideouts in the Sistan-Baluchestan province of Iran while avoiding civilian casualties,\u201d according to a statement issued by the President\u2019s Secretariat.<\/p>\n Alvi said terrorism was a common challenge that required global efforts for its elimination.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan fully respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and expected the same from other nations not to violate international law,\u201d the statement quoted the president as saying.<\/p>\n The president further said that Pakistan and Iran were brotherly countries and they needed to resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.<\/p>\n\n
PM, FM to cut short foreign visits<\/h2>\n
China willing to mediate between Pakistan, Iran after strikes<\/h2>\n
Pakistan won\u2019t compromise on national security: President Alvi<\/h2>\n
Airspace violation<\/h2>\n