The Iranian Air Force strikes missiles and drones at Pakistan aiming at the base of the Sunni militant group, Jaish al-Adl. The attack took place on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 a day after Iran attacked and launched missiles on Iraq and Syria. The attack has caused tension in the region of Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
The sudden attack has caused collateral damage as two children have been killed and three people are injured. Iran has launched missiles against Pakistan which is claimed as an unprovoked violation of the spacecraft by Pakistan. However, both countries have been making statements regarding the attack.
Why did Iran attack Pakistan?
The sudden attack by Iran on Pakistan is quite shocking and after the attack now Iran has stated the reason behind their attack. Iranian State media said that they executed the calculated missile strike on Jaish-Al-Adl’s two main bases in Pakistan and this action was closely followed after the elite revolutionary guards conducted missiles on targets of Iraq and Syria.
Another report of Times of India suggests that it is a retaliation move made by Iran as the answer to last month’s assault and attack on the Iranian Police Station which killed 11 police officers. Iranian sources stated that the attack was made from the region of Panjgur of Pakistan.
The two major reasons and allegations made by Iran behind the attack are that Pakistan is supporting militant groups that are carrying cross-border attacks and previously threatened to launch raids inside Pakistan. Later, all the media reports and statements made against Pakistan by Iran were removed and withdrawn without any explanation or information.
Pakistan’s reply to Iran’s attack
The recent attack on Pakistan came as a shock and the Pakistan Government has finally opened up and replied to Iran. Pakistan first stated that it was an unprovoked violation and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that they were in shock as they were on good terms and relations with Iran.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that it is even more concerning that any kind of illegal act has been taking place despite the existence of certain commitments and communication between Pakistan and Iran. the attack also came as a shock as this kind of unilateral act can affect good neighborly relations and can disturb the trust and confidence between them.
It was also reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdullahaina met Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday but on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos at Switerzland. However, there are no official statements from any one of them.