Pak launches tit-for-tat attack against Iran
Pakistan has expressed concerns about the safe havens enjoyed by Pakistani-origin terrorists in Iran and the inaction taken by Iranian authorities despite concrete evidence provided by Pakistan. The operation, named “Marg Bar Sarmachar,” was conducted based on intelligence about imminent large-scale terrorist attacks planned by these terrorists. Iran, in retaliation, conducted airstrikes inside Pakistani territory, targeting what it claimed were bases for a militant Sunni separatist group. The strikes led to the death of three women and four children, all non-Iranian nationals, and injured several others.
What Pakistan said after the strike:
Pakistan has reached out to Iran, urging the neighboring country to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any actions that could further escalate tensions between the two nations. Seeking to defuse the situation, Pakistan’s message to Iran emphasized the importance of exercising restraint and avoiding any further steps that could exacerbate the already delicate circumstances. It is crucial for both nations to prioritize peace and stability in the region.
Quoting Pakistan’s message to Iran, “Pakistan has appealed to Iran to exercise restraint and not to take any further steps which may worsen the situation.”
The Diplomatic Fallout:
The diplomatic fallout from these incidents has been significant, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador to Tehran and Iran being asked not to return its ambassador who was visiting Tehran. Pakistan’s foreign ministry condemned the Iranian strikes as an “unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty.”
India, US and China’s Reaction:
India, in response to the Iranian strikes, expressed understanding for actions taken by nations in their own defense while maintaining its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The US condemned the Iranian strikes, stating that Iran had violated the sovereign borders of three of its neighbors in just the past couple of days. China, a close partner of both Iran and Pakistan, called for restraint and urged both nations to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
What’s Baloch Liberation Front
The militant organization behind the recent strikes, the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), is striving for an independent Baloch state in Pakistan. Established in 1964, the BLF has engaged in insurgencies against both Iran and Pakistan. Pakistan labels the BLF as a terrorist organization and has conducted multiple military operations against it. Despite internal divisions and competition with other Baloch militant groups, the BLF claims to represent the aspirations of the Baloch people through its Marxist-Leninist and Baloch nationalist ideology. The BLF remains committed to its goal of creating an independent Baloch state and is one of the oldest and most active Baloch separatist groups.
