On Wednesday, Pakistan issued a strong warning to Iran after Tehran conducted unprecedented missile and drone attacks on terrorist bases in Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province. The strikes resulted in the death of two children and injuries to three others. Iranian state media reported that two bases belonging to the Balochi militant group Jaish al Adl were targeted, following Iran’s missile attacks on targets in Iraq and Syria the previous day.
In response to the attacks, Islamabad summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires and strongly condemned Iran’s “violation of its airspace.” The Foreign Office expressed concerns about potential increased tensions in the already volatile Middle East. The Iranian attacks successfully targeted and demolished two key strongholds of the Jaish al-Adl terrorist group in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
“Green Mountain” Assault:
The targeted area, referred to as “Green Mountain,” was subjected to a combination of missile and drone attacks by Iran, according to the Tasnim news agency. The Jaish al-Adl militant group, known for previous attacks on Iranian security forces along the Pakistan border, was the primary target. In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned the assault, labeling it an “unprovoked violation of its airspace” that resulted in the tragic deaths of two children and injuries to three others.
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Pakistan vehemently protested the infringement on its sovereignty, deeming it “completely unacceptable” with the potential for “serious consequences.” Despite established communication channels between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Office expressed concern over the illegal nature of the act. The Iranian charge d’affaires was summoned to convey Pakistan’s strongest condemnation, emphasizing that responsibility for the consequences rests squarely with Iran. The statement did not disclose the exact location of the casualties, but it is suspected to be in Panjgur, Balochistan province.
Pakistan: Mosque Damaged in Panjgur Amid Unilateral Iranian Attack
While local authorities in Panjgur remained silent, there were reports that missile attacks also damaged a mosque, causing injuries to civilians. The Foreign Office underscored Pakistan’s consistent stance that terrorism poses a common threat requiring coordinated action in the region. Unilateral acts, such as the Iranian attack, were criticized for undermining good neighborly relations and risking bilateral trust and confidence.
Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group founded in 2012, primarily operates in Pakistan. While Iran has previously engaged in border conflicts with militants, a missile-and-drone attack on Pakistan marks an unprecedented move. The incident follows a recent attack in Sistan-Balochistan, where 11 Iranian police officers were killed. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi blamed Jaish al-Adl, alleging the militants entered Sistan from the Pakistani side near Panjgur. Over the years, Balochistan has been a focal point for terror attacks, with banned religious and separatist groups utilizing its territory to target Pakistan’s security personnel and installations.
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