Pakistan's air force launched a series of retaliatory airstrikes in Iran's Siestan-o-Baluchistan province, leaving 9 dead Thursday morning. This was in response to Iran's bombing of the Southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan on Tuesday which left 2 young children dead, Fox News reports.
Both countries' armed forces were targeting rebel Pakistani militants, which each has accused the other of harboring. The attacks this week have escalated tensions between Pakistan and Iran.
"Over 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' on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran," Pakistans's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that it has shared "multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists."
MoFA announced that Pakistan's military "successfully" completed a "series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" against these terrorists that left a "number of terrorists" dead.
Pakistan's government blamed Iran for inaction against the Baruch militant group which they claim resulted in the saying of innocent Pakistanis and said it will not compromise its national security even though it "fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Iran.
"This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats," MoFA's announcement read. "The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred."
MoFA also referred to Iran as a "brotherly country" and stated Pakistanis have "great respect and affection for the Iranian people."
"We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavor to find joint solutions," the MoFA said.
Both countries' armed forces were targeting rebel Pakistani militants, which each has accused the other of harboring. The attacks this week have escalated tensions between Pakistan and Iran.
"Over 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' on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran," Pakistans's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that it has shared "multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists."
MoFA announced that Pakistan's military "successfully" completed a "series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" against these terrorists that left a "number of terrorists" dead.
Pakistan's government blamed Iran for inaction against the Baruch militant group which they claim resulted in the saying of innocent Pakistanis and said it will not compromise its national security even though it "fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Iran.
"This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats," MoFA's announcement read. "The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred."
MoFA also referred to Iran as a "brotherly country" and stated Pakistanis have "great respect and affection for the Iranian people."
"We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavor to find joint solutions," the MoFA said.
