- ISPR says hideouts used by terrorist organisations – BLA, BLF struck in IBO codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’
- States ‘dialogue and cooperation’ deem prudent in resolving bilateral issues between two brotherly countries
ISLAMABAD: Day after “unprovoked violation of airspace and missile attack in Balochistan,” Pakistan on Thursday struck terrorist hideouts inside Iranian border, the Foreign Ministry stated.
“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media affairs wing, “hideouts used by terrorist organizations namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)” were struck in an intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.
#Breaking:- Terrorist's Eliminated by #Pakistan's Strikes deep inside #Iran were identified as:
🔺Dosta alias Chairman
🔺Bajjar alias Soghat
🔺Sahil alias Shafaq
🔺Asghar alias Basham
🔺Wazir alias Wazi#ISPR #Pakistan #مرگ_بر_سرمچار https://t.co/bb87dASbro pic.twitter.com/33TzlwEoQv— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) January 18, 2024
The ISPR said hideouts used by BLA and BLF were successfully struck in the operation. “The targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others,” it said.
🚨Exclusive Footage of MLRS on BLA and BLF in #Iran by the Armed Forces of #Pakistan
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar @OfficialDGISPR #ISPR pic.twitter.com/OjD8jsfvHG
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that nine people were killed in the attack targeting a village in the city of Saravan, with Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi saying all the dead “were foreign nationals”.
Iran on Tuesday had launched attacks in Pakistan targeting what it described as bases for the militant group Jaish al-Adl in the border town of Panjgur in Balochistan, Iranian state media reported, prompting strong condemnation from Islamabad and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
The Iranian strikes were part of a series of attacks carried out by Iran in recent days in Syria and Iraq as a response to recent terrorist attacks on its territory. They have heightened concerns about regional stability, particularly amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
“Pakistan Armed Forces remain in a perpetual state of readiness to ensure the safety of Pakistan citizens against acts of terrorism,” the army’s media wing stated.
🚨BLA and BLF Terrorists killed during precision Strikes in #Iran by the Armed Forces of #Pakistan
Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar @OfficialDGISPR #ISPR
⚠️warning, sensitive images pic.twitter.com/3AiYxusX5r
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
“Our resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against any misadventure, remains unwavering. We reaffirm our determination to defeat all enemies of Pakistan with the support of the people of Pakistan,” it said.
The ISPR added that “dialogue and cooperation” was deemed prudent in resolving bilateral issues between the two brotherly countries.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at a presser 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. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesperson Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch briefing on “Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar”#Nation_StandsWith_Army#سرمچار_بلوچستان_کے_غدار#Iran #COAS #ISPR pic.twitter.com/DU9Taue1mN
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
“However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars.
“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,” said MOFA.
🚨Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar
This morning #Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated & specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of #Iran
A number of terrorists were killed during the… pic.twitter.com/4Zk4VS6wgL
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 18, 2024
The Foreign Office said that Islamabad fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, adding that the sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
“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. 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.”
“Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions,” the statement added.
Pakistan recalls ambassador
A day earlier, following Iran’s violation of Pakistani airspace, the Foreign Office (FO) said Islamabad has announced to recall its ambassador from Tehran and expel Iranian ambassador.
“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act and the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said in a post.
“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being.
“Last night’s unprovoked and blatant breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by Iran is a violation of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
“We have conveyed this message to the Iranian Government. We have also informed them that. We have also decided to suspend all high level visits which were ongoing or were planned between Pakistan and Iran in coming days,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Office (FO) after midnight, strikes in Pakistani territory resulted in “deaths of two innocent children while injuring of three girls”.
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”
PM, FM shorten foreign visits
Separately, in a press briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who is currently in Switzerland for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), had decided to cut short his visit “in light of the developments”.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is in Uganda to attend a ministerial meeting of the non-aligned movement, had also decided to return to the country.
In response to a question, Baloch asserted that Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all countries, including Iran. “But we have also said that Pakistan’s security and sovereignty is sacrosanct and Pakistan remains ready and is willing to protect itself,” she said.
The FO spokesperson added that operational details pertaining to the recent developments would be coming soon from Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
To another query, Baloch said Islamabad had no interest in escalating the situation and hoped that “our adversaries understand this”. She went on to say that Pakistan had always chosen the path of dialogue and would continue to engage with neighbours to ensure peace prevailed.
The FO spokesperson further stated that she was not aware of any third-party mediation between Iran and Pakistan, adding that the countries have separate channels of communication.
Separately, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the government had lodged a protest with Iranian authorities over the “unprovoked violation” of its airspace.
He confirmed that the “illegal move” was under investigation, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Solangi said Pakistan would take appropriate measures while keeping the relevant international laws in view, especially regarding the sovereignty of the state.
‘Pakistan will take all necessary measures to defend its soil’
Separately, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan would not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity and would take “all necessary measures to defend its soil”.
“He lauded the professionalism of the Armed Forces of Pakistan that targeted the terrorist hideouts in the Sistan-Baluchestan province of Iran while avoiding civilian casualties,” according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.
Alvi said terrorism was a common challenge that required global efforts for its elimination.
“Pakistan fully respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and expected the same from other nations not to violate international law,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
The president further said that Pakistan and Iran were brotherly countries and they needed to resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.
Meanwhile, caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai said the entire nation was standing with the armed forces. “Rest assured, the terrorists belonging to BLF/BLA will be swiftly and decisively crushed, whether they attempt to infiltrate our borders or operate from within,” he said.
In a post on social media platform X, former prime minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s territorial integrity and the well-being of its citizens were paramount.
“Pakistan has taken fitting diplomatic and military steps for peace and security. We seek peace between our two neighbourly countries but reserve the right to defend ourselves,” he said.
On the other hand, PTI’s Barrister Gohar Khan, in a media talk outside Adiala Jail, said party chief Imran Khan was of the opinion that Iran was a brotherly country and Pakistan’s response “should not exceed more than this”.
“But Pakistan can also not give permission for intrusion in any situation,” he quoted Imran as saying. “Our army gave an effective and appropriate response. In these circumstances, the entire nation stands with the army,” Gohar added.
‘Pemra issues media directions’
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (Pemra) directed all satellite TV channel licensees to exercise “utmost care” while reporting on tension between Pakistan and Iran.
All the licensees were directed to avoid telecasting/breaking any unsubstantiated news on the recent development, Pemra said in a letter addressed to all licensees operating in news, current affairs and regional languages.
The authority urged them to verify the related information from the relevant institutions before broadcasting or airing.
It said licensees were expected to present factual information/reports through their transmission and “support state narrative at this crucial time” as and when released from the relevant institution.
Pemra said all news and programming heads and their respective teams should be sensitised to verify every bit of information received on their desks or Whatsapp groups, and aired only after the necessary fact-checking, “as any false reporting may cause unrest and insecurity among the public.”
It warned that if any violation was observed, reported or identified through any complaint, the authority would be constrained to proceed under the relevant legal provisions.
