Tensions escalated between Pakistan and Iran as Pakistan’s air force launched retaliatory airstrikes in Iran on Thursday, killing at least nine people. The airstrikes were a response to an earlier attack by Iran on Tuesday. Both attacks appeared to target Baluch militant groups with similar separatist goals operating on either side of the Iran-Pakistan border. The nations have accused each other of providing safe haven to these groups within their respective territories.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described its Thursday attack as “a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes.” Pakistan employed a range of weaponry, including killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions, and standoff missiles. The use of standoff weapons suggests that Pakistan’s fighter jets did not enter Iranian airspace during the operation.
Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province reported casualties from Thursday’s strike, including three women, four children, and two men near the town of Saravan along the border. The casualties were not Iranian citizens. The Baluch Liberation Army, an ethnic separatist organization present in the region since the year 2000, asserted that the attacks were aimed at its members and resulted in fatalities. Pakistan’s military, on the other hand, stated that the airstrikes hit objectives linked to the Baluchistan Liberation Front.
The airstrikes have strained diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Tehran, with Pakistan already having withdrawn its ambassador over Tuesday’s attack. Iran summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in the country in response to the retaliatory airstrikes.
Both Iran and Pakistan face internal political pressures. Iran has experienced growing pressure for action following an Islamic State group attack, Israel’s conflict with Hamas, and wider unrest against its theocracy. Pakistan, on the other hand, is gearing up for a crucial February general election, with its military remaining a powerful force in its politics.
China, a key partner for both nations, has urged restraint in the conflict. China plays a significant role in the region and has a major Belt and Road development in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. As tensions persist, there are concerns about the military preparedness of both Iran and Pakistan, particularly their radar and air defense systems.
The risk of further escalation remains as Iran’s military initiates an annual air defense drill named “Velayat 1402,” which includes live fire exercises from aircraft, drones, and air defense systems, spanning from its port of Chabahar near Pakistan to Iraq. Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer largely lawless border, where smugglers and militants frequently cross, making it a key route for global opium shipments from Afghanistan. The Taliban has urged restraint amid the ongoing tensions.
The geopolitical considerations are complex, as Pakistan’s military relies on fighter jets from various countries, including the United States, China, and France. These foreign weapons were used in Thursday’s retaliatory attack. China has expressed hope that both sides will exercise calm and restraint to avoid further escalation.
The airstrikes and cross-border attacks have reignited concerns about regional stability and the volatile situation along the Iran-Pakistan border. As both nations navigate the aftermath of these events, the international community closely watches for any developments that could impact the broader Middle East region.
