2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan

2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan
Type	Missile and drone attack
Location	Koh-e-Sabz, Panjgur District, Balochistan, Pakistan 27°10′N 64°16′E
Planned by	Iran
Target	Militants of Jaish ul-Adl
Date	16 January 2024
Executed by	Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Casualties	2 civilians killed 3–4 civilians injured

On 16 January 2024, Iran carried out a series of aerial and drone strikes within Pakistan, claiming that it had targeted the Baloch separatist group Jaish ul-Adl. The incident occurred one day after Iran carried out a similar series of aerial and drone strikes within Iraq and Syria, claiming that it had targeted the regional headquarters of Mossad (the intelligence agency of Israel) and several strongholds of terrorist groups in response to the Kerman bombings of 3 January, for which the Islamic State took responsibility. The Pakistani government condemned the attack and stated that Iran had killed two children in an "unprovoked violation" of Pakistan's airspace.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian clarified the strikes targeted an "Iranian terrorist group" and that "none of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan were targeted by Iranian missiles and drones". Pakistan recalled it's ambassador from Iran, suspended all high-level bilateral talks whilst not allowing Iran's envoy to return to Islamabad and stated it's "right to respond" to the airstrike.

Background

Insurgency in Balochistan

Main article: Insurgency in Balochistan

Since 2004, Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province has been embroiled in a conflict with Baluch separatist groups, including Jaish ul-Adl. On 15 December 2023, a Jaish ul-Adl attack in the Iranian town of Rask left 11 policemen dead, according to Iranian media. Another attack by the group in 2019 killed 27 members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria

Main articles: 2024 Kerman bombings and 2024 Erbil attack

The attack came a day after an Iranian missile strike in Iraq and Syria, purportedly targeting terrorist groups in response to the 2024 Kerman bombings. It also occurred on the same day that Pakistan's caretaker prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar and Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were meeting during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and while joint exercises were being held by the Iranian and Pakistani navies in the Persian Gulf.

Attack

Iranian state TV said that the IRGC had used precision missiles and drone strikes, to destroy two strongholds of Jaish ul-Ad, in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province. The attack targeted houses in the village of Koh-e-Sabz in Panjgur District, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the Iran–Pakistan border. Pakistan said that two children were killed in the attack and four others were injured. It also said that between three and four drones were launched in the area, hitting a mosque, a house and other buildings.

Jaish ul-Adl claimed that six drones and rockets struck the residences of its fighters' families, killing two children and injuring three women, including a teenager.

Aftermath

The day after the attack, Colonel Hossein Ali Javadanfar of the IRGC was assassinated by an unidentified gunman in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province. Jaish ul-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reports from Iranian media.

Reactions

Pakistan

Pakistan condemned what it called was an "unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran", stating that it was "even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran". On 17 January, Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Iran. A foreign ministry spokesperson expressed that the attack represented a blatant breach of Pakistan's sovereignty and deemed it "unacceptable," adding that Pakistan retained the right to respond to this “illegal” act. Pakistan also prohibited the Iranian ambassador from returning to Islamabad.

Iran

Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said in televised speech on that "It doesn’t make a difference for us where the Islamic Republic is being threatened from, we will have a proportionate, decisive and firm reaction."

Other countries

• China: Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged urged Pakistan and Iran to show "restraint" and "avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension", adding that Beijing saw the countries as "close neighbours".
• India: Ministry of external affairs spokesperson released a statement saying "This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan. Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self defence."