Amid escalating regional tensions, Pakistan announced on Thursday a series of coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes on what it referred to as “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan – Balochistan province. This move comes just over a day after Iran conducted missile strikes on Pakistani territory.
The operation, codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar,’ resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Iran reported that the strikes hit a village in Sistan-Baluchistan, bordering Pakistan, causing casualties, including three women and four children, all non-Iranians.
Background and Intelligence-Based Operation:
Pakistan’s Foreign Office emphasized that the action was taken based on credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by the so-called Sarmachars.
Over the years, Pakistan consistently shared concerns with Iran about safe havens for Pakistani-origin terrorists, providing multiple dossiers with concrete evidence.
The strikes by both countries have heightened tensions, with Iran violating Pakistani airspace earlier, resulting in casualties. China has urged restraint, emphasizing the need for both nations to avoid actions leading to an escalation of tension.
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, who met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Davos, Switzerland, has now cut short his trip in response to the developments.
Analysts, including Michael Kugelman, highlight that Pakistan’s retaliation is somewhat surprising given domestic turmoil but is seen as a necessary move to restore deterrence, especially with Iran’s increased attacks on anti-Iran outfits in the wider Middle East.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing regional crisis and the potential implications on international relations and security.
