On January 17, 2024, Pakistan issued a strongly worded condemnation of Iran’s violation of its airspace during which Tehran claimed to have targeted tow bases belonging to Jaish-al-Adl militant group. It also warned the neighboring state that such activities and actions can have serious consequences.
The Incident
Iran on January 16, 2024, launched attacks in Pakistan targeted what it described as bases for militant group, the country’s state media reported, potentially raising tensions in West Asia already roiled by Israel’s offensive on Hamas in Gaza Strip. The attack took place a day after similar Iranian Strike in Iraq and Syria. Islamabad said that the attack has resulted in death of two children and injured three others.
Jaish-e-Adl, or the Army of Justice, is a Sunni militant group founded in 2012 that largely operates in Pakistan. Iran has fought in border areas against the militants but a missile drone attack on Pakistan would be unprecedented for Iran. According to the reports, Iran hit the bases of the militant group with missiles and drones.
As per Iranian news agency, the two key strongholds of the Jaish-e Adl terrorist group in Pakistan were specifically targeted and successfully demolished. They claimed that the target area is called “Green Mountain”, the agency said that the bases were targeted by a combination of missile and drone attacks
Pakistan Government Action
Pakistan summoned the Iranian charge d’affairs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey its strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of outs sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan also described Iran’s act as unprovoked violation of its airspace in its statement. The Foreign Office of Pakistan did not mention the location where the casualties took place, However, it is suspected that the bases were located in Baluchistan.
“Pakistan vehemently protests the violation of its sovereignty. It is completely unacceptable and it may have serious consequences, the foreign office of Pakistan said and expressed concern that the illegal act took place despite the existence of several established channels of communication between Iran and Pakistan.
A strong protest has already been lodged with the senior official concerned in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Additionally, the charge d’affairs has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the responsibility will lie squarely with Iran, it added.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan further said “Pakistan has always said that terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighborly relations and seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.
