Pakistan conducted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, targeting separatist Balochi militants, two days after Tehran said it attacked the bases of another group within Pakistani territory.
The neighbours have had rocky ties in the past, but the strikes are the highest-profile cross-border intrusion in recent years, for which Tehran has demanded an explanation,.
Iranian media said several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders Pakistan, killing three women and four children, all non-Iranians.
“A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, describing it as a “series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts”.
“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry added in its statement.
Tehran has asked Islamabad for an explanation about the strikes, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said, citing an unidentified official
A Pakistani intelligence source told newsmen the strikes were carried out by military aircraft.
Iran said on Tuesday it had hit Israel-linked militant bases inside Pakistan. Both targeted groups are Balochi, but it was not clear if they co-operate.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan said civilians had been hit and two children killed, warning of consequences for which Tehran would be responsible.
Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Iran on Wednesday in protest against what it called a “blatant breach” of its sovereignty.
Pakistan’s comments after its retaliatory strikes signal a desire to keep the row contained, but analysts warned it could get out of hand.
Editor Oloyede Oworu
