In a significant development, Pakistan executed precision strikes on the hideouts of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) located within Iranian borders early Thursday morning.
This move was in direct response to a previous provocative cross-border missile strike by Iran. Notably, the Pakistani forces refrained from targeting any military installations or civilians during their operation, named "Marg Bar Sarmachar," focusing solely on the terrorist organizations operating in Balochistan while utilizing Iranian territory.
Reports indicate that Pakistan employed missiles and rockets in pinpoint strikes, reaching approximately 40 kilometers inside Iran. The operation specifically targeted leaders of BLA and BLF, who are known to be present in the western neighbor along with their families. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later confirmed the use of drones, rockets, and other weapons in the operation, emphasizing that the terrorists eliminated were involved in acts of terrorism within Pakistan.
The list of neutralized terrorists includes key figures such as Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham, Wazir alias Wazi, and others. The ISPR reiterated the armed forces' commitment to ensuring the safety of Pakistan's citizens against acts of terrorism while underscoring the importance of dialogue and cooperation for resolving bilateral issues between the two neighboring countries.
Simultaneously, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the strikes were part of an intelligence-based operation, reflecting Pakistan's unwavering determination to safeguard national security and defense. Despite the decisive military action, Pakistan stressed its full respect for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the sole purpose of targeting terrorist centers within Iran was to secure national security, which could not be compromised.
The situation has escalated to a diplomatic level, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador from Iran and suspending all high-level visits. This decision follows the unprovoked violation of Pakistani airspace by Iran. The Foreign Office conveyed this message to the Iranian government, expressing concerns about territorial integrity and suspending diplomatic relations temporarily. The move has also garnered international attention, with the US State Department condemning Iran's actions and characterizing Tehran as a significant sponsor of terrorism, accusing it of violating the territorial integrity of neighboring countries.
