Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan Armed Forces, in the early hours on Thursday, carried out effective strikes against hideouts during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) inside Iran, used by terrorists, responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that in early hours of 18 January 2024, Pakistan carried out effective strikes against hideouts inside Iran used by terrorists responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan.
“The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons. Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage,” it added.
The statement said that the hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck in an intelligence-based operation (IBO), code name 'Marg Bar Sarmachar'.
The military’s media wing said that the targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others.
“Pakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure safety of Pakistan citizens against acts of terrorism.”
“Our resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against any misadventure, remains unwavering. We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,” the statement said.
“Going forward, dialogue and cooperation is deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two neighbouring brotherly countries,” the ISPR said.
The ISPR's statement comes hours after the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that Pakistan targeted terrorist hideouts inside the Iranian border after Iran violated the country’s sovereignty and launched a strike in Balochistan that left two children dead and injured three girls.
“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.
A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’ FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
The development came after Tehran targeted the bases of, what it claimed was a terrorist organisation, inside Pakistani territory, "Green Mountain" with drones and missiles, and destroyed the headquarters of the said terrorist group, reported Iranian state media.
“Missiles targeted two bases of Jaish al Adl in Pakistan on Tuesday”, Iranian state media reported, a day after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards missile strikes hit an “Israeli spy centre” in Iraq and targeted Islamic State militants in Syria.
“These bases were hit and destroyed by missiles and drones,” media reports in Tehran said. Iran’s Nournews, affiliated with the country's top security body, said that the attacked bases were located in the Balochistan province.
Pakistan strongly condemned the strike near the nations' shared border.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and suspend all high-level visits following the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran on Tuesday night.
“We have conveyed this message to the Iranian Government. We have also informed them that 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,” the statement said.
She said that the unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran was a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN).
The FO spokesperson said that the said the illegal act was completely unacceptable and had no justification whatsoever.
“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act. The responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” she said.
Separately, in the press briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who is currently in Switzerland for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), had decided to cut short his visit “in light of the developments”.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is in Uganda to attend a ministerial meeting of the non-aligned movement, had also decided to return to the country.
Responding to a question, the FO spokesperson asserted that Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all countries, including Iran. “But we have also said that Pakistan’s security and sovereignty is sacrosanct and Pakistan remains ready and is willing to protect itself,” she said.
Meanwhile, China has expressed its willingness to mediate between Pakistan and Iran following the recent developments.
During a press conference in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that the Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension.
“We are also willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation if both sides so wish,” she said.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman reiterated that Iran and Pakistan were “friendly countries to China, and countries with important influence”.