Pakistan has conducted a series of precision military strikes within Iran, targeting what it claims to be hideouts of separatist militants. This marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries, as both Pakistan and Iran have now engaged in military actions on each other's soil in a single week.
According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the strikes were part of an operation named 'Marg Bar Sarmachar,' translating to "death to guerrilla fighters." The military strikes, described as highly coordinated and specifically targeted, occurred in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province, resulting in the reported death of a "number" of militants.
Sistan and Baluchistan province's deputy governor, Alireza Marhamati, reported on state television that explosions in a border village and near the city of Saravan resulted in at least seven casualties, including three women and four children who were foreign citizens. Iranian security officials are currently investigating these incidents.
Both Pakistan and Iran have a history of addressing militants in the Baloch region along their shared 900-kilometer border. However, this recent event marks a notable escalation, happening amid increased tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza involving Israel.
Pakistan communicated its concerns to Iran about the presence of separatist fighters, referred to as Sarmachar, accusing them of finding safe havens within Iranian territory. Pakistan claims to have shared evidence of the militants' activities with Iran but expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's perceived lack of action. The foreign ministry emphasized that the military action was taken based on credible intelligence indicating an imminent large-scale terrorist threat.
Pakistan reiterated its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The country asserted that the sole objective of the military action was to safeguard Pakistan's security and national interests, underscoring that these interests are paramount and cannot be compromised.
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