ISLAMABAD - In a recent development, Pakistan has acknowledged conducting targeted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, aimed at separatist Balochi militants. This comes just two days after Tehran announced its own military operation against a different group within Pakistani territory. The cross-border actions mark a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbors, prompting Iran to demand an explanation from Islamabad.
Reports indicate that several missiles struck a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province, resulting in the tragic deaths of three women and four children, all non-Iranians. Pakistan's foreign ministry justified the operation, labeling it as a "series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts." The ministry emphasized Pakistan's commitment to respecting Iran's sovereignty while asserting that the operation was driven by national security concerns.
Tehran, seeking clarification, has requested an explanation from Islamabad regarding the strikes, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency. A Pakistani intelligence source, speaking to Reuters, confirmed that the military aircraft carried out the strikes, specifically targeting Baloch militants affiliated with the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), an organization advocating for independence for Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Earlier in the week, Iran claimed to have attacked bases linked to Israel-supported militants inside Pakistani territory. Notably, both targeted groups are Balochi, raising questions about potential collaboration between them.
The situation has raised concerns among analysts, with some warning that the conflict could spiral out of control. Asfandyr Mir, a South Asia security expert, highlighted the unclear motivations behind Iran's attack on Pakistan but cautioned that the situation could escalate. The fact that Pakistan crossed into Iranian territory has added a new dimension to the conflict, potentially unsettling even major players like the U.S. and Israel.
The targeted regions, encompassing Balochistan in Pakistan and Sistan-Baluchestan in Iran, are characterized by restiveness, mineral wealth, and underdevelopment. The BLF, subject to Pakistan's strikes in Iran, has been engaged in an armed insurgency against the Pakistani state, including attacks on Chinese citizens and investments in Balochistan. On the other hand, the group targeted by Iran, Jaish al Adl (JAA), is an ethnic militant organization with Sunni Islamist leanings, viewed as a threat by predominantly Shiite Iran. The JAA has previously carried out attacks against Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing regional tensions.