A dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes on alleged Baloch separatist hideouts situated within Iranian territory. The targeted locations, reportedly housing Baloch militants wanted by Pakistan, became the focal point of a retaliatory strike that has further strained relations between the two neighboring nations.
According to multiple media reports, the airstrikes were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on Pakistani soil. The situation escalated as Iran insisted it had successfully targeted militant elements operating from within Pakistan, while Pakistan vehemently refuted these claims, asserting that the Iranian actions resulted in civilian casualties rather than hitting their intended militant targets.
A senior intelligence source, quoted by AFP, confirmed the strikes, stating, "I can only confirm that we have conducted strikes against anti-Pakistan militant groups that were targeted inside Iran." Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs later officially confirmed the strikes, emphasizing that the operation, codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar," resulted in the elimination of a "number of terrorists."
The tit-for-tat exchange of airstrikes stems from rising tensions between the two nations. After Iranian airstrikes in Pakistan, Islamabad emphasized its "right to respond" to what it deemed a "provocative act." The situation took a diplomatic turn as Pakistan's foreign minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, expressed deep concern over the violation of sovereignty and international law in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart.
In a strongly-worded statement, Jilani underscored the severity of the situation, labeling it as "not only a serious breach of Pakistan's sovereignty but also an egregious violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations" between the two nations. As a diplomatic consequence, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Iran and blocked Tehran's envoy from returning to Islamabad after the Iranian airstrikes.
Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, however, stood firm on his country's position, insisting that their armed forces had targeted the "Iranian terrorist group" Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan. Despite the exchange of accusations and escalating tensions, he claimed that no nationals of Pakistan were targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.
As the international community watches these developments with concern, India, responding to media queries on the Iranian airstrikes, maintained a cautious stance. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated, "This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defense."
The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further diplomatic fallout and military escalation. The turbulent skies over the region reflect the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, raising questions about the stability of relations between these neighboring nations.
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