Iran is getting embroiled in a new wave of violence after launching airstrikes on a territory of Pakistan – a move which the local government warned could lead to “serious consequences”.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at the attack launched on Tuesday, seemingly aimed at the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, which it said killed two children and wounded three other people.
After branding the strikes “illegal”, it summoned Iran’s senior diplomat in Islamabad to protest against the “unprovoked violation of its airspace”.
The ministry added: “Pakistan strongly condemns the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran which resulted in death of two innocent children while injuring three girls. This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.
“Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.”
The ministry didn’t provide further details about the strikes, but reports shared by Pakistani social media accounts claim the missile and drone strikes hit the province of Balochistan which, located in southwestern Pakistan, shares a border with Iran.
Iranian media initially reported the strikes, saying they targeted the Sunni group, but any account of the military action later disappeared.
The Jaish al-Ad group is a separatist militant organisation operating mainly in southeastern Iran, along the border with Pakistan.
Its stated aim is to obtain the independence of the Sistan and Baluchestan province in southern Iran – and on the border with Balochistan. Over the years, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks launched on the Iranian military.
Tehran and Islamabad have long been at loggerheads over the activities of Balochi separatists and other groups in the porous border area, with Iran suspecting Pakistan is providing a haven for these insurgents. Nevertheless, the recent military attack provides a major escalation.
The attack on the Pakistani region came just hours after Iran launched missiles in Syria and Iraq to retaliate against the double suicide bombing in the city of Kerman that on January 3 killed more than 80 Iranians.
Iran is also fighting a proxy war through three groups it backs militarily and economically – Houthi, Hamas and Hezbollah.
