Pakistan launches retaliatory airstrikes on Iran
Pakistan's air force carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Iran, reportedly targeting militant positions. This incident, occurring on Thursday, resulted in the loss of at least seven lives and heightened tensions between the neighboring nations.
According to Iranian media reports, several missiles struck a village in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, which shares a border with Pakistan. The casualties included three women and four children, all of whom were non-Iranian residents.
The Pakistani Ministry issued a statement, characterizing the operation as 'intelligence-based' and highlighting its nature as a 'series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts.'
The ministry asserted that the operation aimed at eliminating terrorists and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It emphasized that the primary objective of the action was to safeguard Pakistan's security and national interests, which are considered non-negotiable.
Earlier in the week, Iran claimed to have targeted militant bases linked to Israel inside Pakistani territory. In response, Pakistan contended that civilians, including two children, were among the casualties, issuing a warning of consequences for which Tehran would be held responsible.
The escalating tensions prompted Islamabad to recall its ambassador from Iran on Wednesday, signaling a strain in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
While Pakistan and Iran have faced challenges in their relationship in the past, these airstrikes mark a significant and high-profile cross-border incident, adding to the complexities of their interactions in recent years.
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