On Thursday, Pakistan responded to the “terrorist hideouts” in Iran.It came a day after warning Tehran of "serious consequences" for attacking the Balochi group Jaish al-Adl's headquarters on its territory.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, "A number of terrorists" were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed, "Marg Bar Sarmachar".However, Iranian media reported that the attack killed seven people, four of whom were children.
As per an official statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry "This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran,"
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Islamabad described Iran as a "brotherly country" and stated that the action was a "manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve" to protect and defend its national security against all threats.
"The sole objective of today's act was in pursuit of Pakistan's security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised," the Ministry said, adding that Islamabad "fully respects" Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves 'Sarmachars' on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran," the statement went on to say.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran launched missiles and drones at two Jaish al-Adl bases in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Pakistan condemned Iran's "violation of its airspace" and warned the neighbour that such actions could have "serious consequences".
"Last night's unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan's sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever,"Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Wednesday.
The Ministry stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this "illegal act" and that Iran will bear "squarely" responsibility for the consequences.
"We have conveyed this message to the Iranian Government. We have also informed them that Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being. We have also decided to suspend all high level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in coming days," the spokesperson said.
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