The Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan struck terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Siestan-o-Balochistan province.
According to a press release, “a number of terrorists” were killed during an intelligence-based operation codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar”.
Pakistan had downgraded its diplomatic relations with Iran, recalling its ambassador from Tehran and expelling the Iranian envoy in Islamabad, in the wake of Iranian missile and drone strikes in Panjgur, Balochistan a day earlier.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had said Pakistan reserved the right to retaliate against the attack, which she described as an “illegal act” and without any justification. In both statements issued after the attack, Ms Baloch warned Iran of the consequences of its action.
“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being,” she had said.
Besides the diplomatic response, a senior official, in a telephone conversation with Dawn, did not rule out a military response, saying that “our response was still evolving”.
Similarly, high-level bilateral visits, both ongoing as well as planned ones, were cancelled. Iranian charge d’affaires in Islamabad was also summoned to FO to convey Pakistan’s condemnation of the incident.
The Iranian strikes were perceived by Pakistan as not only a breach of sovereignty, but also a potential catalyst for broader regional conflict, which is particularly alarming in the current tense regional climate. This situation is further complicated by regional rival India, which has been leveraging the pretext of terrorism to act against Pakistan.
Diplomatic sources had also suggested that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) was responsible for the breach, and that despite the existence of multiple channels of communication between the two countries, the operation was carried out contrary to international law, which clearly violated Pakistan’s airspace.
Analysts have suggested that while a direct military response from Pakistan is possible, the episode is likely to draw Pakistan closer to Iran’s rivals as a strategic countermeasure.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
