Did Pakistan kill 10 of its own citizens in its air strike inside Iranian territory, that too women and children? If reports are to be believed, Pakistan's attack on Thursday (Jan 18) inside&nbsp;Iran's south-eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province which borders its western region of Balochistan&nbsp;ended up claiming the lives of 10 Pakistanis, including women and children.

This claim was made by an Iranian provincial official cited in the state-run news agency Irna.

The Pakistan Army fired three UAVs on the Iranian city of Saravan, Irna reported.

WATCH:&nbsp;Iran-Pakistan Tensions: US, UN urge Pakistan, Iran to show restraint

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“In these attacks, four residential houses were destroyed, and around 10 women and children were killed,” said&nbsp;Alireza Marhamati,&nbsp;&nbsp;the deputy security and law enforcement officer of the governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Marhamati said a probe is being done to find out how the Pakistanis managed to enter and live on the Iranian side of the border.

“The motive behind this attack is under examination, and the results will be announced shortly,” Irna quoted him as saying.

The Pakistani attack was in response to a similar strike on Tuesday (Jan 16) by Iran on the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan. The Iranian strike killed two children, according to Pakistan's account. 
 
Iran&nbsp;said it was targeting Pakistani terrorist group Jaish-al Adl which translates to legions of justice.

The Sunni group seeks an independent state of Balochistan and operates in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

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Pakistan's different voices in reaction to Iran attack</h2>

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There's a sense that the Pakistani military-intelligence establishment was caught napping when Iran hit inside its borders.

Pakistan's response was also not coherent. While the army brass huddled and conducted a retaliatory strike, the political leadership has been more mellow in their response.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, speaking to WION, described the assault as a 'sad' incident. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-pakistan-calls-airspace-violation-by-iran-sad-incident-says-have-taken-measures-680919">Exclusive: Pakistan calls airspace violation by Iran ‘sad incident’, says ‘have taken measures’</a>

Pakistan interestingly called it an "airspace violation by Iran" which caused the deaths of two children.

After launching the attack on Iranian territory, Islamad also called Iran a 'brotherly neighbour'. 
 
"Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasised dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavour to find joint solutions," said a government statement.

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<h2>Pakistan vs Iran: Another addition to Middle East crisis 
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The Iranian strikes inside Pakistan came after similar assaults by it on Syria and Iraq, where also it targeted Sunni militants and the Islamic State terror group. 
 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-calls-iran-a-brotherly-neighbour-hours-after-launching-airstrikes-681124">Pakistan calls Iran a 'brotherly neighbour' hours after launching airstrikes that killed 9</a>

The attacks came in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, adding yet another dimension to the simmering tensions in the Middle East. 
 
Iran retaliated after the dastardly twin suicide bombings earlier this month targeting an event marking the death anniversary of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. That attack in Kerman, the south-eastern city of Iran, killed at least 88 people and injured&nbsp;240 others. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Did Pakistan kill 10 of its own citizens in its air strike inside Iranian territory, that too women and children? If reports are to be believed, Pakistan's attack on Thursday (Jan 18) inside Iran's south-eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province which borders its western region of Balochistan ended up claiming the lives of 10 Pakistanis, including women and children.

Did Pakistan kill 10 of its own citizens in its air strike inside Iranian territory, that too women and children? If reports are to be believed, Pakistan's attack on Thursday (Jan 18) inside Iran's south-eastern Sistan-Baluchestan province which borders its western region of Balochistan ended up claiming the lives of 10 Pakistanis, including women and children. This claim was made by an Iranian provincial official cited in the state-run news agency Irna. The Pakistan Army fired three UAVs on the Iranian city of Saravan, Irna reported. WATCH: Iran-Pakistan Tensions: US, UN urge Pakistan, Iran to show restraint × “In these attacks, four residential houses were destroyed, and around 10 women and children were killed,” said Alireza Marhamati, the deputy security and law enforcement officer of the governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Marhamati said a probe is being done to find out how the Pakistanis managed to enter and live on the Iranian side of the border. “The motive behind this attack is under examination, and the results will be announced shortly,” Irna quoted him as saying. The Pakistani attack was in response to a similar strike on Tuesday (Jan 16) by Iran on the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan. The Iranian strike killed two children, according to Pakistan's account. Iran said it was targeting Pakistani terrorist group Jaish-al Adl which translates to legions of justice. The Sunni group seeks an independent state of Balochistan and operates in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistan's different voices in reaction to Iran attack There's a sense that the Pakistani military-intelligence establishment was caught napping when Iran hit inside its borders. Pakistan's response was also not coherent. While the army brass huddled and conducted a retaliatory strike, the political leadership has been more mellow in their response. Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, speaking to WION, described the assault as a 'sad' incident. Also read: Exclusive: Pakistan calls airspace violation by Iran ‘sad incident’, says ‘have taken measures’ Pakistan interestingly called it an "airspace violation by Iran" which caused the deaths of two children. After launching the attack on Iranian territory, Islamad also called Iran a 'brotherly neighbour'. "Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasised dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavour to find joint solutions," said a government statement. Pakistan vs Iran: Another addition to Middle East crisis The Iranian strikes inside Pakistan came after similar assaults by it on Syria and Iraq, where also it targeted Sunni militants and the Islamic State terror group. Also read: Pakistan calls Iran a 'brotherly neighbour' hours after launching airstrikes that killed 9 The attacks came in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, adding yet another dimension to the simmering tensions in the Middle East. Iran retaliated after the dastardly twin suicide bombings earlier this month targeting an event marking the death anniversary of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. That attack in Kerman, the south-eastern city of Iran, killed at least 88 people and injured 240 others. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan killed 10 of its own citizens in strike on Iranian territory: Reports

Iran hanged 12 inmates, including a woman, in a day in Zahedan prison in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, a human rights group has said amid concerns over rising number of executions in the Islamic republic.

The inmates hanged on Monday were convicted of drug-related or murder charges, AFP has reported citing Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) said.

According to reports, the executed people were Baluchis, a minority people living in Iran’s south-east bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Of the 12, six were convicted for drug-related charges and the rest for murder. None of the executions had been reported by domestic media or confirmed by officials in Iran, it said.

Sistan-Baluchestan is the country’s second-largest but least developed province. Sunni Muslim Baluchis make up the majority of the province’s population. There have been reports of widespread discrimination against minorities, especially in employment.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>: 12 Baluch minorities were executed in Zahedan Central Prison on 6 June. 5 men and a woman were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder and 6 men were sentenced to death for drug-related charges. None were officially reported.\1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoDeathPenalty?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoDeathPenalty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85_%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#اعدام_نکنید</a> <a href="https://t.co/vX1MgURZzn">pic.twitter.com/vX1MgURZzn</a>
— Iran Human Rights (IHR NGO) (@IHRights) <a href="https://twitter.com/IHRights/status/1534186467114639360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“Data gathered by Iran Human Rights shows that Baluch prisoners accounted for 21 per cent of all executions in 2021, while only representing 2–6 per cent of Iran's population," IHR added.

There has also been concern over a recent upsurge of executions in Iran, as the country's leaders are confronted with protests over price rises for basic goods.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International’s annual report on worldwide use of the death penalty showed Iran as a country with a “disturbing spike” in executions.

The 66-page report found Iran executed at least 314 people in 2021, a 28 per cent jump from at least 246 in 2020 and the highest figure since 2017. Amnesty said that in Iran “death sentences were disproportionately used against members of ethnic minorities.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran hanged 12 inmates, including a woman, in a day in Zahedan prison in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, a human rights group has said amid concerns over rising number of executions in the Islamic republic.

Iran hanged 12 inmates, including a woman, in a day in Zahedan prison in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, a human rights group has said amid concerns over rising number of executions in the Islamic republic. The inmates hanged on Monday were convicted of drug-related or murder charges, AFP has reported citing Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) said. According to reports, the executed people were Baluchis, a minority people living in Iran’s south-east bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. Of the 12, six were convicted for drug-related charges and the rest for murder. None of the executions had been reported by domestic media or confirmed by officials in Iran, it said. Sistan-Baluchestan is the country’s second-largest but least developed province. Sunni Muslim Baluchis make up the majority of the province’s population. There have been reports of widespread discrimination against minorities, especially in employment. #Iran: 12 Baluch minorities were executed in Zahedan Central Prison on 6 June. 5 men and a woman were sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder and 6 men were sentenced to death for drug-related charges. None were officially reported.\1#NoDeathPenalty #اعدام_نکنید pic.twitter.com/vX1MgURZzn — Iran Human Rights (IHR NGO) (@IHRights) June 7, 2022 × “Data gathered by Iran Human Rights shows that Baluch prisoners accounted for 21 per cent of all executions in 2021, while only representing 2–6 per cent of Iran's population," IHR added. There has also been concern over a recent upsurge of executions in Iran, as the country's leaders are confronted with protests over price rises for basic goods. Earlier this month, Amnesty International’s annual report on worldwide use of the death penalty showed Iran as a country with a “disturbing spike” in executions. The 66-page report found Iran executed at least 314 people in 2021, a 28 per cent jump from at least 246 in 2020 and the highest figure since 2017. Amnesty said that in Iran “death sentences were disproportionately used against members of ethnic minorities.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iran carries out mass execution of 12 ethnic Baluch minorities in a day: Report

Despite international calls against his execution, a Baluch man was hanged by Iran for murder, abduction and 'terrorist' links on Saturday. Javid Dehghan Khalad was put to death early in the morning in the restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, Mizan Online reported.

The execution came just a day after the United Nations made an appeal to Iran against it. Mizan said Dehghan was arrested in June 2015 and later convicted of being "one of the leaders" of a "terrorist" group linked to the jihadist Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice).

Also known as Mohammad Omar, he had been found guilty of carrying out "armed action against the state", the website said.

Dehgan was found to have been involved in the killing of two Revolutionary Guards' members in 2015. He was also accused of leading a raid aiming to abduct five border guards one of whom was killed.

"We urge the authorities to halt the imminent execution of Javid Dehghan, to review his and other death penalty cases in line with human rights law," the Geneva-based Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote on Twitter before the execution.

"We strongly condemn the series of executions –- at least 28 –- since mid-December, including of people from minority groups," it added.

London-based rights group Amnesty International has alleged Dehghan's trial was "grossly unfair" with the court relying on "torture-tainted confessions" and ignoring abuses committed during the investigation.

(With agency inputs)

Despite international calls against his execution, a Baluch man was hanged by Iran for murder, abduction and 'terrorist' links on Saturday. Javid Dehghan Khalad was put to death early in the morning in the restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, Mizan Online reported.

Despite international calls against his execution, a Baluch man was hanged by Iran for murder, abduction and 'terrorist' links on Saturday. Javid Dehghan Khalad was put to death early in the morning in the restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, Mizan Online reported. The execution came just a day after the United Nations made an appeal to Iran against it. Mizan said Dehghan was arrested in June 2015 and later convicted of being "one of the leaders" of a "terrorist" group linked to the jihadist Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice). Also known as Mohammad Omar, he had been found guilty of carrying out "armed action against the state", the website said. Dehgan was found to have been involved in the killing of two Revolutionary Guards' members in 2015. He was also accused of leading a raid aiming to abduct five border guards one of whom was killed. "We urge the authorities to halt the imminent execution of Javid Dehghan, to review his and other death penalty cases in line with human rights law," the Geneva-based Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote on Twitter before the execution. "We strongly condemn the series of executions –- at least 28 –- since mid-December, including of people from minority groups," it added. London-based rights group Amnesty International has alleged Dehghan's trial was "grossly unfair" with the court relying on "torture-tainted confessions" and ignoring abuses committed during the investigation. (With agency inputs)

Despite UN appeal, Iran hangs ethnic Baluch for 'terror'

US respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan and does not support independence for Balochistan, John Kirby, US state department spokesman, said on Monday while addressing a press briefing.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The government policy is that we support the territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Balochistan,&quot; he said when asked about the controversy stirred after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s reference to human rights in Balochistan during the Indian Independence Day speech last month.&nbsp; 
 
Kirby also avoided commenting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s statements regarding the issue and said he had underlined US&#39;s reaction well.&nbsp; 
 
During his press briefing, Kirby was answering questions on Russia, Syria, North Korea and Pakistan, when he was asked United States position on the Baloch subject.&nbsp; 
 
While celebrating India&#39;s Independence Day on August 15, Indian Prime Minister Modi raised Balochistan and Gilgit saying the people of Baloch were grateful to him for raising their issues. 
 
This was in response to Pakistan&#39;s criticism over India&#39;s handling of Kashmir Valley, gripped with violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
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US state department spokesman John Kirby said on Monday that US supports territorial integrity of Pakistan

US respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan and does not support independence for Balochistan, John Kirby, US state department spokesman, said on Monday while addressing a press briefing. "The government policy is that we support the territorial integrity of Pakistan and we do not support independence for Balochistan," he said when asked about the controversy stirred after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to human rights in Balochistan during the Indian Independence Day speech last month. Kirby also avoided commenting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements regarding the issue and said he had underlined US's reaction well. During his press briefing, Kirby was answering questions on Russia, Syria, North Korea and Pakistan, when he was asked United States position on the Baloch subject. While celebrating India's Independence Day on August 15, Indian Prime Minister Modi raised Balochistan and Gilgit saying the people of Baloch were grateful to him for raising their issues. This was in response to Pakistan's criticism over India's handling of Kashmir Valley, gripped with violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. (WION with inputs from agencies)

'US does not support independence for Balochistan'

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