In a massive development, Iran on late Tuesday night launched airstrikes in Pakistan targeting bases of the Sunni militant organization Jaish al-Adl. Pakistan on a rare occasion accepted that Iran launched airstrikes by invading its airspace and targeting multiple locations in Balochistan. At first Iran airstrike report was revealed by the Iranian state media, thereafter Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Office also confirmed it and condemned the act. Interestingly, the Iranian state media after giving the information, removed it from social media. Iran airstrikes were carried out by drones and missiles in Pakistan. Now, an Iran Airstrike video has surfaced on social media and it is now going viral.
In the unverified Iran airstrike video, one of the houses can be seen turned into rubble and people are in panic. It is claimed that the house was hit by an Iranian missile during the airstrike.
Notably, reacting to Iranian Airstrike, 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."
"Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly Nations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence."
Iran Airstrike Explained
Iran is a Shia-majority country, while about 95% of the people in Pakistan are Sunni. Sunni organizations in Pakistan have been opposing Iran. Apart from this, the Jaish-al-Adal terrorist organization of Balochistan has been entering the border of Iran and had reportedly attacked the army there several times. Iran's army is called the Revolutionary Guard. The Iranian government has warned Pakistan many times to control terrorist organizations. Most of the terrorists of Jaish al-Adal have come from other Pakistani terrorist organizations. Iran is openly supporting Hamas in the Israel-Hamas war and Pakistan is also supporting Hamas in this matter.
Notably, Iran Airstrikes come days after a double suicide bombing in the city of Kerman on 3 January which killed more than 80 Iranians. Although ISIS had claimed responsibility, Tehran vowed to avenge the death of its people. In fact, before launching airstrike in Pakistan, Tehran launched missile strikes in Syria and Iraq. Is it unclear whether Tehran believes Jaish al-Adl is also involved, or it was just lashing out against foes to satisfy domestic calls for vengeance?