Once again, Pakistan finds itself in the midst of an air strike, but this time it is not India but its neighbour, Iran. The target of Iran’s military action was terrorist camps, including the one that played a role in the abduction of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer. This incident unfolded while Pakistan’s acting Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar was engaged in a diplomatic meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister in Davos.
India Reacts:
In response to media queries regarding Iran’s air strikes in Pakistan, the Official Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said, “This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. So far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self defence.”
The Aerial Attack
The aerial assault conducted by Iran in Balochistan drew parallels with India’s Balakot strike in February 2019. Iran fired powerful ballistic missiles and suicide drones against Jaish-al-Adl camps, a group with known connections to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI.
The strike was executed in the Koh-e-Sabz area of Balochistan, leading to a strong condemnation from Pakistan against Iran’s actions. Despite the ongoing joint naval exercises between the two nations, the attack significantly heightened tensions in the region.
Jaish Al Adal
Jaish Al Adal, considered a close associate of Pakistan’s ISI, was formerly associated with the terrorist organization Jundullah. Operatives from Jundullah and Jaish al-Adl have been known to infiltrate into Iran. It was members of this group who abducted Kulbhushan Jadhav from Chabahar, Iran. Subsequently, he was transported to Pakistan and handed over to the ISI. Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl has been officially declared a ‘terrorist’ organisation by Iran, operating in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Over the past few years, the group has executed several attacks on Iranian security forces, including a December assault on a police station in Sistan-Baluchistan that resulted in the death of at least 11 policemen.
In response to the attack on its security forces, Iran communicated bluntly to Pakistan through Minister Ahmed Wahedi, urging Pakistan to take measures to curb the growth of terrorist activities within its borders.
Pakistan Reacts
Pakistan, in turn, raised allegations against Iran, claiming that two children lost their lives and three girls were injured in a missile and drone attack in Balochistan. The violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, as stated by the Foreign Ministry, was deemed completely unacceptable. Despite various communication channels between the two nations, Pakistan criticized Iran’s unilateral action, expressing concerns about its impact on bilateral trust and confidence.
In the aftermath of Iran strikes in Pakistan, Islamabad on Wednesday (Jan 17, 2024) announced some diplomatic measures including: Recalling its envoy in Tehran; Suspends high level visits with Iran; and has asked Iran envoy not to return
What Triggered the Attack by Iran?
Despite both countries referring to each other as brothers, Iran and Pakistan grapple with a complex relationship. The 1000-kilometer border they share in Balochistan is marked by religious enmity, with Iran being a Shia country and Pakistan having a Sunni majority. This historical discord began in 1979 when Iran became a Shia state.
Despite the brotherly rhetoric, accusations of harbouring terrorists persist, further fuelled by Pakistan’s amicable relations with Iran’s adversary, Saudi Arabia. Iran remains wary, suspecting that Pakistan, alongside Saudi Arabia, may contribute to creating a situation akin to rebellion within Iran. Given Saudi Arabia’s staunch Sunni stance and its perceived alignment with Israel, Iran has been apprehensive about regional dynamics.
The recent air strike led to a wave of mockery within Pakistan. Social media platforms were flooded with humorous posts targeting the Pakistan Army, Army Chief General Asim Munir, caretaker PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar, and ISI.
Timing & Chabahar Port
Adding to the complexity, the timing of the air strike coincided with India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Iran. During the visit, Jaishankar met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, focusing on further developing bilateral relations. The meeting gained significance as it occurred in the aftermath of a drone attack on an Indian ship in the Arabian Sea. This attack prompted concerns, with the United States expressing apprehensions that Iran might be involved.
Situated in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on the southern coast of Iran, the Chabahar port project is a joint initiative by India and Iran aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade relations. India places considerable emphasis on the Chabahar port to boost regional trade. The ongoing talks between India and Iran also encompass discussions about unrest in the Middle East and the Houthi attack in the Red Sea.
It is evident that the dynamics between Iran, Pakistan, and neighbouring nations contribute to a delicate balance of alliances, suspicions, and historical tensions. And remains to be seen how diplomatic dialogues and regional collaborations will shape the future trajectory of this complex geopolitical scenario.