The last three The Side Mirror reflected the ongoing election frenzy.
I had planned to write something on the speeches of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari this Saturday, but then Iran struck.
Let us discuss these striking events.
Iran has taken action against a terrorist organization operating from within Pakistani territory.
The question remains: what prompted Iran to breach Pakistan’s airspace and sovereignty? Did not Iran know that India made a similar failed attempt, and Pakistan’s response exposed its nefarious designs?
The courage and resilience of Pakistani forces in the face of external threats are always unmatched. This is what our friends in Tehran must know. They also must know that India, despite its superior military might, faltered in a similar endeavor.
Pakistan has militarily and diplomatically protested Iran’s actions, demonstrating a strategic and measured response.
When Iran carried out attacks, I searched the Iranian media. Their media is controlled and under the government’s control. That side, however, played responsibly and only highlighted the need for such needful strikes to kill terrorists.
The Tehran government that terrorists orchestrating terrorism in Balochistan are also based in Iran and Pakistan.
Despite repeated diplomatic pleas from Pakistan urging Iran to address the issue, no action was taken. Now, Pakistan must neutralize all terrorist bases in Iran, as Iran itself has breached Pakistani airspace, offering an opportunity to eliminate the common threat. Notably, Iran cannot accuse Pakistan of violating its airspace, as it has committed the same transgression.
The underlying truth is that groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) maintain camps within Iran, with the notorious Kulbhushan Yadav orchestrating terrorism in Pakistan from Iranian soil. Pakistan’s forces, commendably acting on intelligence, preemptively struck these terrorist hideouts, prompting Iran to acknowledge that none of its citizens were among the casualties.
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Iranian foreign minister said that no citizen of Pakistan was targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. This operation was a response to the terrorist group’s recent attacks on the Iranian city of Rask in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan. The group sought refuge in parts of Balochistan, prompting multiple discussions between Iran and Pakistan on the matter. Iran, while respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty, emphasized its commitment to safeguarding national security.
In essence, Pakistan did not target Iranian citizens but aimed at the Pakistani fugitives hiding within Iranian borders. The attack focused on seven camps of the BLF, unveiling a military operation codenamed “Marg Burr Sarmchar” (Death to the Sarmchars). The success of this operation resulted in a substantial loss for the terrorists, exposing the grave concerns Pakistan has about the safe havens that terrorist groups of Pakistani origin find in ungoverned areas.
Despite sharing concrete evidence of terrorist activities with Iran, the lack of serious safeguards allowed these so-called ‘Sarmachars’ to persist in their bloodshed against innocent Pakistanis. Pakistan’s proactive approach and decisive military action serve as a powerful lesson, showcasing the nation’s commitment to combating cross-border terrorism and safeguarding its citizens. This stands in stark contrast to India’s previous missteps, underscoring the importance of strategic acumen and diplomatic finesse in addressing regional security challenges.
The situation involving the recent attacks has indeed sparked tensions between Iran and Pakistan. Iran’s state media reported seven casualties in Thursday’s attack, prompting Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the top Pakistani diplomat in Tehran for an explanation. Strikingly, none of the casualties were Iranians. The terrorist organization Jaish al-Adl issued a fake press release claiming the rockets had mistakenly crossed the border, targeting their camp in Sistan, Iran.
The dubious nature of Jaish al-Adl’s involvement raises questions as some speculate that Iran, recognizing its misstep, might use this incident as an opportunity to foster closer ties with Pakistan.
Reports suggest internal concerns in Iran about growing relations with China and Saudi Arabia. There are also murmurs about Indian influence on the head of Iranian intelligence, potentially motivating the recent action. This move could be an attempt to balance regional relationships, especially with Pakistan, and disrupt any plans opponents might have. The attack on terrorist hideouts has disrupted their planning, potentially necessitating a diplomatic dialogue between Iran and Pakistan to address the shared challenge of terrorism.
