Fears of escalation as Pakistan strikes against 'terrorists' in Iran

Pakistan conducted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, targeting separatist Baloch militants, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, two days after Tehran said it had attacked the bases of another group within Pakistani territory.

"A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, describing it as a "series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts."

Iran condemned the strikes, which killed at least nine people, and summoned Pakistan's charge d'affaire "to protest and request an explanation from the Pakistani government," according to a statement by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi on Thursday stated that Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty and security.

The strikes are "a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats and Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Iran carried out strikes against "terrorist" targets in Pakistan. The strikes killed two children, Pakistan said.

The neighbors have had rocky ties in the past, but the strikes are the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and come amid growing worries about instability in the Middle East since the conflict between Israel and Hamas started on October 7.

Khwaja Asif, Pakistan's defense minister until August, said Pakistani action was retaliatory. "A measured response has been given and it was important. There should be ongoing efforts on the side that this doesn't escalate." 

These strikes come as tensions in the Middle East are high with several overlapping crises.

Israel is fighting the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and exchanging fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon; armed groups in Iraq and Syria are targeting U.S. forces based in the region, and the U.S. and UK have struck the Houthis in Yemen, saying those strikes are in retaliation to the Houthis' targeting of ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis, officially called the Ansar Allah, have stated that they are targeting only Israel-linked ships in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

(With input from agencies)