Iran on late Tuesday night carried out airstrikes on multiple bases of Sunni militant organization Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan, Pakistan. Iran's Airstrikes in Pakistan came days after a double suicide bombing in the city of Kerman on 3 January which killed more than 80 Iranians. In a rare instance, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed Iran's Airstrikes and condemned the act saying that the country would face dire consequences. Notably, Pakistan-Iran has a long history of hate, and Iran's Airstrikes on Jaish al-Adl's bases may bring both countries to the brink of war. Now, the question arises what is Jaish al-Adl, and how has it brought the two Islamic countries to the brink of war? Below is what we know about Jaish al-Adl-
Jaish al-Adl has been designated a terrorist organization in four countries namely- Iran, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. The sunni militant organization Jaish al-Adl means the "Army of Justice". Jaish al-Adl was founded in 2012 by members of Jundallah, a previous Sunni militant group that had been weakened by Iran's capture and execution of its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in 2010.
Jaish al-Adl's motive is to fight for the independence of Sistan and Balochistan Province. Jaish al-Adl is reportedly headed by Salahoodin Farooqi and his deputy Mullah Omar. Jaish al-Adl has reportedly links with al-Qaida in Pakistan and supports Sunni opposition in Syria's civil war and Iranian Kurdish separatists.
Jaish ul Adl actively showcases its operations on platforms like YouTube, distinguishing itself by its fighters' tendency not to withdraw. Notably, Jaish al-Adl has carried out multiple terror attacks in Iran. For instance- in 2013, the group killed 14 Iranian Border Guards in the city of Saravan. In November 2013, Jaish ul Adl assassinated Musa Noori, Zubol City Chief Prosecutor.
It is pertinent to mention here that Iran has accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting the terror group, and has threatened to launch raids inside Pakistan in the past. Pakistan on the other hand has denied the allegations and urged Iran to respect its territorial integrity.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it said, "Pakistan strongly condemns the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory which resulted in the death of two innocent children while injuring three girls. This violation of Pakistan's sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.
"It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan's strong protest has already been lodged with the concerned senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Additionally, the Iranian Charge d'affaires has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and that the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran."