Pakistan announced early on Thursday morning local time that it had carried out military strikes inside of Iran after Iran killed innocent civilians inside Pakistan earlier this week during military strikes against a Pakistani militant group.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that the strikes were “highly coordinated” and specifically targeted “terrorist hideouts” in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.
The operation, codenamed Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar, killed numerous terrorists inside Iran, the statement said.
“Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves *Sarmachars* on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran,” the statement said. “Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.”
Pakistan said that Iran did not take the information seriously, did not act, and thus those terrorists have killed innocent Pakistanis.
“This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars,” the statement said. “This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.”
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The statement took a swipe at Iran, saying that Pakistan “fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Earlier in the week, Pakistan condemned Iran for violating its sovereignty when Iran launched its strikes.
“As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states,” the statement said. “Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.”