Pakistan, on Thursday morning carried out a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against “terrorist’’ hideouts in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement disclosed that several “terrorists’’ were killed during the intelligence-based operation which was named “death to separatists”.
“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 on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran”, it said.
The ministry added that there were no actions on Pakistan’s serious concerns.
“This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security.
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“Security defence against all threats and Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people.
“Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states’’, the ministry added.
It noted that in the exercise of the country’s legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan would never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.
Terming Iran as a brotherly country, the ministry said Pakistan always emphasised dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and would continue to endeavor to find joint solutions.
Pakistani security forces had earlier struck terrorist centres in Iran with precision, a security official said.
Sources from Pakistan’s armed forces said that all targets were hit precisely.
“We hit the confirmed terrorists. In our view all terrorists are our targets irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, or sect”, the security official said.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said late Wednesday his country pays great attention to neighbouring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during phone talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The two sides discussed Iran’s anti-terrorist operations on Tuesday against the Jaish al-Zulm group in Pakistan, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.
Pakistan on Wednesday accused Iran of violating Pakistan’s airspace, killing two Pakistani children, after the Iranian operations, and recalled its ambassador from Iran.
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