Pakistan launches retaliatory strike on Iran, raising tensions

Pakistan launched a counterattack against Iran early Thursday. The attack comes days after Tehran carried out airstrikes within its borders, reportedly targeting the militant group's hideout in the country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said that it had been carried out It was a “highly coordinated, highly targeted and precise series of military attacks” against Baluch militant strongholds in Iran's Siestan-o-Baluchistan province.

Local Iranian officials say three women, four children and two men were killed in an airstrike near the border town of Sarawan in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, the Associated Press reports. announced.

“This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence regarding an imminent large-scale terrorist activity by the so-called Sarmachar,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “This action is an expression of Pakistan's unflinching determination to protect and protect national security from all threats.”

The Associated Press also reported that Pakistan's military said it used “lethal drones, rockets, loitering weapons, and standoff weapons” in Thursday's attack.

Pakistan named the action “Operation Margh Bar Sarmachar.” The Associated Press noted that “margh bar” means “death” in Iranian-Persian, and “sarmachar” means guerrilla in the local Baluchi language, used by militants in the region. .

This came after Iran launched airstrikes in Pakistan on Tuesday against another Baluch militant group in Islamabad. a label is attached This is a “grave violation of Pakistan's sovereignty.” Pakistan later reported on Wednesday that it had recalled its ambassador to Tehran over the attack. A.P.

As the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas intensifies in the Gaza Strip, the recent exchange of strikes will only heighten tensions in the region. Iran also carried out attacks in Iraq and Syria earlier this week, an action condemned by the US State Department as a “reckless missile attack” that “destroys the stability of Iraq”.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.