Pakistan’s attack on Iran: at least three women and four children killed

At least three women and four children died this Thursday in a Pakistani missile attack on terrorist hideouts in a border region of southeastern Iran, two days after Tehran bombed two terrorist group bases located in the neighboring country, triggering a diplomatic crisis.

Alireza Marhamati, deputy governor of Sistan and Balochistan, confirmed this to the state agency IRNA that “three non-Iranian women and four children died” in the missed offensive after an offensive that occurred around 4.50 am (local time) and included “several explosions in the Saravan area”.

For his part, his security deputy underlined that there had been other explosions near that city, located about 350 kilometers south-east of Zahedan, the provincial capital, but without victims.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry reported in an official statement that it was “a series of precision military strikes highly coordinated and specifically targeted against terrorist hideouts in the Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan.

He noted, without giving details of the numbers, that “several terrorists were killed during the intelligence operation, code-named ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar'” and said the attacks were carried out “due to the lack of action” by Iran to stop the rebels’ activity.

“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s event was the pursuit of Pakistan’s security and national interest, which are paramount and cannot be compromised” , Pakistan Foreign Affairs added.

Furthermore, it warned that it will continue to take “all necessary measures to preserve the security” of Pakistan, and stressed that it will not allow its sovereignty or territorial integrity to be called into question under any circumstances.

“Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation to address common challenges, including the threat of terrorism, and we will continue to strive to find common solutions,” the statement said.

These attacks happen later Iran will attack with missiles and drones on Tuesday two bases of the Sunni terrorist group Yeish al Adl in Pakistani territory, in which two children diedaccording to Islamabad, which warns of “serious consequences”.

In retaliation, the Pakistani government recalled its ambassador to Tehran for consultations and announced the suspension of all high-level visits with Iran, while at the same time asking the Persian country to withdraw its ambassador to Islamabad.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khalil Abbas Jilani interacted on Wednesday evening in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, where he insisted that the Iranian attack “was not only a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty but” also a flagrant violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.”

The attacks that Iran carried out this week against targets in three different countries, in 24 hours, have raised fears that the turbulence in the Middle East it can get out of control.

Since the war in the Gaza Strip began in October, Iran has used its proxy forces against Israel and its allies. But on Tuesday it became directly involved and said its missile strikes were a response to terrorist attacks within its borders.