Pakistan launched counterstrikes on Iran early Thursday, allegedly targeting a militant group’s hideout in the country just days after Tehran conducted airstrikes within its borders.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it conducted “a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes” against Baluch militant locations in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran.
A local Iranian official said three women, four children and two men were killed in the strikes near the town of Saravan, along the border in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
“This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats.”
The AP also reported that Pakistan’s military said it used “killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and standoff weapons” in its strikes Thursday.
Pakistan labeled the action as “Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar.” The AP noted “marg bar” means “death to” in Iranian Farsi, and “Sarmachar” means “guerrilla” in the local Baluch language and is used by militants in the region.
Iran launched airstrikes in Pakistan against a separate Baluch militant group Tuesday, which Islamabad labeled a “serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty.” Pakistan later recalled its ambassador to Tehran on Wednesday over the strikes, per the AP.
The recent exchanges of strikes can only escalate tensions in the region, as the war between Israel and militant group Hamas rages on in Gaza. Iran also conducted strikes in Iraq and Syria earlier this week, actions that were condemned by the U.S. State Department as “reckless missile strikes” that “undermine Iraq’s stability.”
The Associated Press contributed.