Rawalpindi: 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.
On 16 Jan Iran conducted strikes in Pakistani territories in what Iran claimed to target the terrorists that Pakistan has responded back strongly. Irani unprovoked violation of Pakistani airspace resulted in death of two innocent children while injuring three girls. There is no information about killing of a single terrorist in Irani strike.
A day earlier, 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.Foreign Minister of Iran called his Pakistani counterpart but the tension could not be reduced.
Irani news agency IRNA reported 7 killed in Pakistani missile attack this morning in one of the border villages of Saravan. Saravan located 347 km southeast of Zahedan, the capital city of Sistan-Baluchestan, borders with Pakistan.
Ali Reza Marhamati, the deputy governor general of Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeast of Iran told IRNA :
The attack which occurred at 04:05 hours local time (0335 GMT) targeted an Iranian border village. The security official found this after several explosions were heard in the vicinity of Sravan, the official said. Those who were killed included 3 women and 4 children, according to Marhamati.
While Pakistan has shared the Identity of 5 men killed among others as the terrorists with their names.
Ali Reza Marhamati shared that another explosion occurred near Saravan, fortunately it caused no casualties.Pakistani army used three unmanned aerial vehicles in its overnight cross-border attack.In these attacks, 4 residential houses were destroyed, and around 10 women and children were killed.The casualties were Pakistani nationals and that an investigation is underway to determine how they had come to reside on the Iranian side of the border.
Iran condemned the strikes, and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaire “to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government,” according to a statement by foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani.
Pakistan Army’s press wing ISPR stated that Hideouts used by terrorist organisations namely Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front were successfully struck in an intelligence based operation, code name ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.
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.
Going forward, dialogue and cooperation is deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two neighbouring brotherly countries.
Earlier than the release of press statement from ISPR, a press breifing was held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan about the “Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar”
The spokesperson Ms Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated, ” 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’.”
She said, “Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.”
“However, because of 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, The spokesperson noted.
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.
Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
The spokesperson said, “As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.”
“Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions, She concluded.
IRAN HITS “TARGETS” IN PAKISTAN AFTER IRAQ – VIOLATING THE AIR SPACE – ISLAMABAD LODGES STRONG PROTEST WITH TEHRAN
