UPDATE 2 - Pakistan hits ‘terrorist hideouts’ inside Iran after 'unprovoked airspace violation'

UPDATES WITH PAKISTAN MILITARY STATEMENT, ADDS MORE DETAILS, CHANGES DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Islamuddin Sajid and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL (AA) - Pakistan on Thursday said it struck "terrorist hideouts" in Iran, less than two days after Tehran launched airstrikes which Islamabad called an "unprovoked" violation of its airspace.

"This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed Marg Bar Sarmachar (Death to Sarmachar), it added.

The official confirmation came after Anadolu reported that Pakistan hit the Balochistan Liberation Army militant group in southeastern Iran.

Islamabad had earlier condemned Iran for violating its airspace and carrying out an airstrike, killing two children and injuring three others in its southwestern Balochistan province. It also recalled its ambassador and suspended high-level visits with Tehran.

The ministry said Thursday it had “consistently shared serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani-origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the "ungoverned spaces inside Iran.”

But, it added, because of a "lack of action" the terrorists continued to "spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity.”

It said that "this morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars."

Islamabad said the military action inside Iran “is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats.”

“The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised,” said the Foreign Ministry, adding: “Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

At a news conference in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has “no interest in escalating any situation.”

Tehran confirmed the attack, lodged a protest and sought "immediate explanation" from Islamabad.

Meanwhile, China offered its role to de-escalate tensions between the neighboring countries.

- Precision strikes against terrorist organization using killer drones

In a separate statement, the Pakistani military said its “effective strikes” hit hideouts of terrorist outfits Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front.

“Targeted hideouts were being used by notorious terrorists including Dosta alias Chairman, Bajjar alias Soghat, Sahil alias Shafaq, Asghar alias Basham and Wazir alias Wazi, amongst others,” said the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.​​​​​​​

“The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons,” it added. “Maximum care was taken to avoid collateral damage.”

It said the military's resolve to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan is respected and safeguarded against "any misadventure," remains "unwavering," and emphasized the need for "dialogue and cooperation" in resolving bilateral issues.​​​​​​​