Pakistan on Thursday morning conducted "a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" against alleged terrorist hideouts in Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran in which reportedly "a number of terrorists" were killed.

The action comes a day after Iran carried out airstrikes in Balochistan's Panjgur area, allegedly targeting the Jaish al-Adl group. The strikes had killed two children and injured three girls.

Meanwhile, Iran's state media claimed that nine people, including three women and four children, were killed in explosions reported in the country's southeast.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, over the last several years, during engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by "Pakistani-origin terrorists", calling themselves "Sarmachars" on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.

Pakistan has also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists, it adds.

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Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar

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— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 18, 2024

The statement adds that due to a lack of action on those concerns, however, the "terrorists" continued to target Pakistanis with impunity. "This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars," the FO said.

The FO called the military action a manifestation of Pakistan’s resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. "The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people, which is sacrosanct, inviolable, and sacred," it adds.

Also Read: China wants Pakistan, Iran to show 'restraint' amid airstrike row

Pakistan, it further adds, fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran. "The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interests, which is paramount and cannot be compromised," the statement adds.

As a responsible member of the international community, the Foreign Office says, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. "Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances," it asserts.

The statement concludes by saying that Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. "We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges, including the menace of terrorism, and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions," it concludes.

Also Read: PSX plunges as tensions escalate between Pakistan and Iran, shedding over 1,000 points

A senior security official told Reuters the Pakistani military was on "extremely" high alert and would meet any "misadventure" from the Iranian side forcefully.

Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted a provincial official as saying on Thursday morning that "several explosions have been heard in several areas around the city of Saravan" in the southeast. It further said that three women and four children, none of whom were Iranian, were killed in the explosions.

The deputy governor of the Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran, Ali Raza Marhamati claimed that Pakistan struck a border village in the province with several missiles at 4:30am. The second explosion, he added, was heard near that Saravan city in which no loss of life was reported.

On Wednesday, Iran's Defence minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said Tehran would set "no limits" or boundaries for its national interests and public defense. “Iran will not allow anyone to come in their way. Iran is a missile power and whoever threatens Iran will get a response,” he added.

He further said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will continue its operations until the country avenges its martyrs.

President, political leaders hail security forces on Op ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’

President Dr Arif Alvi in a statement on Pakistan's action in Iran's Sistan and Balochistan province said that Pakistan will not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity.

The president said Pakistan will take all necessary steps to defend its land.

China offers to mediate as Pakistan-Iran border tensions flare

China on Thursday offered to mediate between Pakistan and Iran following a gunfight against militant targets in the Pakistan-Iran border region, including an attack that Tehran said killed at least nine civilians.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference, "The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension."

Kakar cuts short World Economic Forum visit in Davos

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has cut short his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos after Islamabad announced that it has conducted military strikes in Iran.

"He has decided to cut short his visit in view of the ongoing developments," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly news briefing on Thursday.

At least nine killed in Pakistani attack: Iran state media

At least three women and four children were killed in a Pakistani missile attack on Iran's southeastern border region, Iranian state media reported on Thursday.

"Pakistan attacked an Iranian border village with missiles," state television said, quoting Alireza Marhamati, deputy provincial governor of Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province.

Pakistan suspends diplomatic ties with Iran over 'completely unacceptable' airstrike

In a stunning development on the foreign affairs front, Pakistan has decided to call back its envoy from Iran following Tuesday's violation of its airspace and the strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in the deaths of two children while injuring three girls.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday evening, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad has also suspended all the visits of its officials to Iran.

Iran's top diplomat admits strike on Pakistan soil

In a startling revelation on Wednesday, Tehran's top diplomat Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, openly acknowledged that Iranian armed forces had launched a targeted attack on what they termed as an "Iranian terrorist group" operating within Pakistani territory.

The admission came during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the foreign minister insisted that no Pakistani nationals had been targeted in the strike.

Pakistan strongly condemns Iran's 'unprovoked violation' of airspace, summons envoy

Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in the death of two innocent children while injuring three girls.

In a statement, MOFA said: "This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences."