Days after Iran’s missile attack in Balochistan’s Panjgur, Pakistani forces have launched ‘highly coordinated’ strikes against alleged terrorist camps inside Iranian territory, as confirmed by the Pakistani Foreign Office on Thursday.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) revealed that Pakistan conducted a series of targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan-o-Baluchistan province. The operation, named ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar,’ resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, according to MoFA spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/1n5BvtEZBZ pic.twitter.com/VVf5VwL00L
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 18, 2024
In response to the heightened tensions, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have cut short their international visits. The statement emphasized that this military action signifies Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding 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,” the statement added.
MoFA clarified that terrorists of Pakistani origin, identifying themselves as ‘Sarmarchars,’ had been operating from safe havens and sanctuaries in Iran. Concerns about these terrorists had been communicated to Iran in multiple diplomatic engagements over the past few years.
Breaking —- Pakistan Air Force has conducted airstrikes on Baluch separatist camps inside Iran. The move comes a day after Iran claimed to have targeted militants inside Pakistani territory, a claim rejected by Pakistan, citing civilian casualties.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) January 18, 2024
While acknowledging Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Pakistan justified its action as being in the interest of its own national security.
Pakistan had previously stated its right to retaliate, and the responsibility for any consequences was warned to lie with Iran. The strikes reportedly occurred in the easternmost Siestan and Baluchistan province of Iran, near the city of Sarwan, approximately 50 kilometers from the Pak-Iran border.
Before the official statement, social media posts and journalists claimed that the strikes had been carried out by the Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador and recall its envoy from Tehran was announced a day prior to the military action.
تعدادی از منازل در حق آباد و شمسر در ویديوهایی از تخریب اماکن مسکونی در پی حمله ارتش پاکستان به شهر سراوان
بگفته منابع حال وش تعدادی منازل در شهر سراوان و اطراف آن بر اثر اثابت موشکهایی ناشناس مورد اصابت گرفته اند که گفته میشود ساکنین منزل در زیرآور کیر افتاده اند.#سراوان pic.twitter.com/SejuyW0dOM
— حال وش (@haalvsh) January 18, 2024
While Iranian media has remained silent on the event, social media accounts from Iran posted unverified videos of alleged airstrikes in Haqabad and Shamsar of Saravan city. The situation continues to evolve, raising concerns about the fragile state of regional stability.
