ISLAMABAD: Iran carried drone strikes on Pakistan and described the motive of attack to target the militant group Jaish al-Adl. The Iranian drone missile struck the Panjgur district of Balochistan. According to the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan, the attack killed two children and wounded three girls.
The FO issued a press statement in which they condemned the attack and described the act as an unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s airspace. Pakistan also warned Tehran that violation of national sovereignty was unacceptable and that Iran could bear serious consequences.
Iranian media reported that missiles by Iran targeted two bases of Jaish al Adl in Pakistan. It added that the drones destroyed bases located in Balochistan. Earlier, the Elite Revolutionary Guards of Iran targeted Islamic State militants in Syria and struck an Israeli spy centre in Iraq.
Pakistan turned down the claims by Iran about destroying terrorist hideouts and strongly protested with the neighbouring country. FO stated that despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran, an illegal act took place. The statement added that these unilateral acts and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.
The drone attack occurred the same day when interim Prime minister of Pakistan Anwaarul Haq Kakar and the Iranian foreign minister met in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Jaish-al-Adl
Jaish-al-Adl has been operating from Sistan-Baluchistan province. The militant group was established in 2012. As per claims by Tehran, the group has hideouts across the Pakistani border.
Since its inception, Jaish-al-Adl has accepted the responsibility of several attacks against the security forces of Iran. The group killed 27 security personnel of Iran in February 2019 after which Iranian civil and military leadership issued stern warnings to Pakistan.