The National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan underscored that Pakistan will respond with its "full strength" in case of any violation of the country's territorial integrity. The NSC's reiteration of its stand comes after Iran conducted what Pakistan described as "unprovoked" air strikes in a remote area of Balochistan, resulting in the tragic death of two children, reported Pakistani media website Geo News.
Iran's missile and drone attack on supposed "terrorist" targets within Pakistan prompted a swift response from Islamabad, which retaliated by striking alleged militant targets inside Iran. Iran claimed that the Pakistani strike claimed nine lives. Four of the victims were children.
In a telephone conversation, Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, acknowledged the hostilities between the two nations and agreed to de-escalate the tension. Jilani expressed Pakistan's willingness to collaborate with Iran on all issues, Geo News reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran and expelled Iran's envoy, who was on a visit home. However, diplomatic ties are expected to normalize soon.
The United Nations, the United States, Russia, the European Union, and China, have called for restraint and offered to play the role of a mediator between Pakistan and Iran.
During a meeting, the NSC, the highest civil-military body in the country, conducted a comprehensive review of the situation. The committee praised the armed forces for their professional, calibrated, and proportionate response to the violation of Pakistan's sovereignty.
The Pakistani Prime Minister's Office released a statement stating that the meeting participants were briefed on political and diplomatic developments related to the situation between Pakistan and Iran, the Geo News report stated. The meeting included caretaker ministers, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, as well as heads of intelligence agencies.
The NSC discussed 'Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar,' executed against Baloch terrorists of Pakistani origin in ungoverned spaces inside Iran. The forum emphasized the preparedness for any further violation of national sovereignty and reiterated the unwavering commitment to responding with the full might of the state to any attempt to breach Pakistan's sovereignty.
According to Geo News, the forum acknowledged Iran as a neighbourly and brotherly Muslim country and urged the use of existing communication channels to address security concerns for regional peace and stability. It highlighted Pakistan's historical suffering due to terrorism and expressed the belief that dialogue and diplomacy could overcome minor irritants to deepen historic relations between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later briefed the caretaker federal cabinet about the situation. The Cabinet commended the armed forces' professionalism and the government's unified response to the breach of sovereignty.
Geo News quoted caretaker Prime Minister Kakar as saying that Pakistan's commitment to being a law-abiding and peace-loving country and seeking friendly relations with all nations, especially neighbours, remained intact. He emphasized the historical fraternal and cooperative relations between Pakistan and Iran and expressed the desire to restore the relationship to its previous state. The prime minister welcomed positive measures from Iran for reciprocal actions