Iran attacks armed group threatening border security in Pakistan

Iranian media reported that the country had attacked two bases of the Jaish al-Adl armed group in Pakistan, a move that was met with opposition from Islamabad.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used missiles and UAVs to attack two bases of the Jaish al-Adl militant group in Balochistan province, western Pakistan, Iranian media reported on January 16 without giving details.

Two Pakistani security officials said the Iranian attack damaged a shrine in Panjgur district, about 50 km from the border between the two countries.

"Pakistan strongly condemns Iran's unprovoked violation of its airspace, which resulted in the death of two innocent children and injuries to three girls," the Pakistani foreign ministry said. "This violation of Pakistan's sovereignty is completely unacceptable and could face serious consequences."

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the head of the Iranian delegation in Islamabad to protest. Iran's Foreign Ministry has not commented on the developments.

A Noor missile is fired during a military exercise by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in southern Iran in April 2010. Photo: Reuters — A Noor missile is fired during a military exercise by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in southern Iran in April 2010. Photo: *Reuters*

Jaish al-Adl, or "Army of Justice", is a Sunni militant group founded in 2012 and operating mainly in the border area between Pakistan and Iran, a predominantly Shiite Muslim country.

Jaish al-Adl aims to separate Iran's predominantly Sunni eastern border province of Sistan and Baluchestan from the rest of the country. The group has claimed responsibility for bombings and kidnappings of Iranian border guards.

Iran shares an eastern border with Sunni Muslim Pakistan, which Iran says acts at the behest of Saudi Arabia and shelters rebel groups. Tehran and Riyadh see each other as major regional rivals.

Iran launched a missile attack on northern Syria on January 15, targeting the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization and a series of "spy centers" in the area near the US consulate in Erbil, northern Iraq. Iraq described Iran's actions as a "blatant violation" of its sovereignty and complained to the Security Council.