- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Thu, 18 Jan 2024 02:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan and Iran's diplomatic ties have gone for a toss after the recent airstrikes that threw both countries which share an already tumultuous relationship into loggerheads. On Tuesday night, an Iranian missile attack on Pakistan killed two children and injured three others while Pakistani airstrikes on Thursday morning killed four children and three women, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said that it had undertaken a series of "highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts" in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran and "a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation," codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar".
Why Are Pakistan And Iran Fighting?
Even though Islamabad's stance hints the Iranian attacks are behind the growing crisis, the countries often find themselves navigating conflicts along their 900-kilometre volatile border, susceptible to violence which has led to the souring of the ties.
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Prior to this week's attack, in December 2023, an Iranian blacklisted "terror" group Jaish al-Adl had attacked a police station in the Iranian town of Rask on the southeastern border province of Sistan-Baluchestan which had killed 11 Iranian security personnel. Pakistan condemned the attack.
Speaking on the recent attack, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said that in its engagements with the neighbouring country Iran over the last several years, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani-origin terrorists who called themselves "Sarmachars" on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.
"However, because of a lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars," it said.
"This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's 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. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred," the statement read.