ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed late Tuesday Iran violated its airspace, killing two children and injuring three, warning Tehran of “serious consequences” for the move.
The foreign office spokesperson’s statement came in response to reports on Iranian state media, which claimed Tehran launched attacks Tuesday in Pakistan. The state media said the strikes had targeted alleged bases for militant group Jaish Al-Adl.
However, confusion followed soon as some of the reports disappeared. State-run IRNA news agency and state television had said missiles and drones were used in the attack. Jaish Al-Adl is a militant group that largely operates across the border in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran which resulted in the deaths of two innocent children while injuring three girls,” the foreign office’s statement said.
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”
Pakistan said its airspace had been violated despite several channels of communication existing between the two countries.
Islamabad said it has launched a “strong protest” with a senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.
“Additionally, the Iranian Charge d’affaires has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty,” it said, adding that the responsibility for the consequences “will lie squarely with Iran.”
Pakistan reiterated that “terrorism” is a common threat to all countries in the region and requires coordinated action.
“Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighborly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence,” the foreign office concluded.
The attack follows Iranian strikes on Iraq and Syria less than a day earlier, as Tehran reacted following a dual suicide bombing this month that killed over 90 people. The attack was claimed by the militant group Daesh.
Pakistan’s relations with Iran have witnessed ups and downs in recent years because of cross-border attacks by Pakistani militants.
Pakistani anti-Iran militants have also targeted the Iranian border in recent years, increasing friction between the countries.
Meanwhile, small separatist groups in Pakistan have been behind a long-running insurgency calling for gas and oil-rich Balochistan’s independence from the central government in Islamabad.
