Pakistan launched a series of strikes on militants in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, calling it retaliatory action which raised the tensions between the neighbouring nations. Islamabad said it hit bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army.&nbsp;

The strikes killed at least nine people, including three women and four children, the Iranian state media said. But Pakistan claimed that the strikes caused the deaths of a "number of terrorists".&nbsp;

In its statement after the strikes, Pakistan said, "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."&nbsp;

In addition to the diplomatic approach, likely to contain the situation, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Islamabad has provided evidence of Baloch militant activities&nbsp;in Iran to Iranian officials but that the strikes were necessary "because of lack of action on our serious concerns". &nbsp;

The strikes followed&nbsp;Iranian missile attacks in the Pakistani part of the region, a province that is known as Balochistan. Pakistan said the Iranian attack had killed two children, but Tehran claimed that its drones and missiles struck militants of the Jaish al Adl (JAA) group.

The claims and counterclaims will continue to happen, but to begin with, let's find out who are Baluch and what are their issues.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-which-weapons-were-used-how-exactly-did-pakistan-carry-out-airstrikes-in-iran-681328">Which weapons were used, how exactly did Pakistan carry out airstrikes in Iran?</a>&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the region?&nbsp;</h2>

Balochistan is a region divided between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and has been marred by tensions with groups fighting majorly for autonomy.&nbsp;

Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan and Pakistan's western province of Balochistan are the most impoverished regions of their respective countries.&nbsp;

It consists of vast and arid provinces, that lack resources amid constant battle with drought. Unemployment and other opportunities make the situation worse for those who are living there. &nbsp;

On the porous Iran-Pakistan border, which&nbsp;now risks of being the subject of escalating tensions between the neighbours,&nbsp;security forces on both sides have battled militant groups for years.

<h2>Who are the Baluch?&nbsp;</h2>

The region, in whatever condition, is home to the Baluch people who are estimated to be 10 million. The majority of Baluch people live in Pakistan including also in the Sindh province. A clear estimation is not known, but several million are estimated to be living in Iran and a much smaller minority in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Iran and Pakistan share a nearly 1,000-kilometer border along the provinces, with extensive smuggling activity, particularly of petroleum. Both nations have accused each other of being lenient towards militant organisations in the region. Many Baluchs work as fuel carriers, known as 'sookhtbar' in Persian. They smuggle fuel over the border to Pakistan where it can be sold at a higher price.&nbsp;

Notably, the Baluch are Sunni Muslims. In Iran, they are part of a religious as well as an ethnic minority, with the dominant religion in the Islamic republic Shiite Islam.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-why-did-iran-attack-pakistan-what-is-jaish-al-adl-680852">Why did Iran attack Pakistan? What is Jaish al-Adl group targeted by Tehran?</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Situation in Pakistan</h2>

For almost two decades, the Pakistani forces have been fighting the latest iteration of an ethnic Baluch separatist insurgency. Hundreds have died in attacks targeting security forces, government personnel and ethnically non-Baluch civilians.&nbsp;

Baluch separatists and rights groups have often claimed that the military's campaign on the insurgency has resulted in numerous enforced disappearances and extrajudicial deaths.&nbsp;

Since 2014, separatists have also targeted projects affiliated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a $58 billion project that is part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with substantial sections running through mineral-rich Balochistan.&nbsp;

<img alt="iran-pakistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86e69da0-9ffa-4265-892a-b0f4398eea3e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/iran-pakistan.png" />

Image: A map showing Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeast Iran, along the border with Pakistan. Credit: AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>What are the issues faced by the Baluch?&nbsp;</h2>

A report by the news agency highlights how 2022 emerged as a challenge for the&nbsp;Baluch people in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province when its residents joined the&nbsp;nationwide protests in Iran over the death of young woman Mahsa Amini in police custody.&nbsp;

The protest became a global phenomenon, the majority reflected nationwide anger, and security forces cracked down on the demonstrations.&nbsp;

Amnesty reported that over 80 people were killed on September 30, 2022, when security forces opened fire on a protest in Sistan-Baluchistan's main city of Zahedan in what became known as its "bloody Friday".&nbsp;

For a long period of time, the activists have claimed that Iran's Shiite clerical government has discriminated against the region economically and politically, with a disproportionate number of Baluch being executed, particularly on drug accusations.&nbsp;

Several activists have said that dozens of Baluch have been killed by Iranian security forces in recent years. &nbsp;

Amnesty International said that in 2021 at least 19 per cent of all executions in Iran were of members of the Baluch minority.&nbsp;

Baluch on the Pakistani side of the border also complain&nbsp;of being disenfranchised, and the&nbsp;income from the province's rich natural resources not being adequately spent on local governance and social needs.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pakistan launched a series of strikes on militants in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, calling it retaliatory action which raised the tensions between the neighbouring nations.

Pakistan launched a series of strikes on militants in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, calling it retaliatory action which raised the tensions between the neighbouring nations. Islamabad said it hit bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army. The strikes killed at least nine people, including three women and four children, the Iranian state media said. But Pakistan claimed that the strikes caused the deaths of a "number of terrorists". In its statement after the strikes, Pakistan said, "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." In addition to the diplomatic approach, likely to contain the situation, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Islamabad has provided evidence of Baloch militant activities in Iran to Iranian officials but that the strikes were necessary "because of lack of action on our serious concerns". The strikes followed Iranian missile attacks in the Pakistani part of the region, a province that is known as Balochistan. Pakistan said the Iranian attack had killed two children, but Tehran claimed that its drones and missiles struck militants of the Jaish al Adl (JAA) group. The claims and counterclaims will continue to happen, but to begin with, let's find out who are Baluch and what are their issues. Also read: Which weapons were used, how exactly did Pakistan carry out airstrikes in Iran? What do we know about the region? Balochistan is a region divided between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and has been marred by tensions with groups fighting majorly for autonomy. Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan and Pakistan's western province of Balochistan are the most impoverished regions of their respective countries. It consists of vast and arid provinces, that lack resources amid constant battle with drought. Unemployment and other opportunities make the situation worse for those who are living there. On the porous Iran-Pakistan border, which now risks of being the subject of escalating tensions between the neighbours, security forces on both sides have battled militant groups for years. Who are the Baluch? The region, in whatever condition, is home to the Baluch people who are estimated to be 10 million. The majority of Baluch people live in Pakistan including also in the Sindh province. A clear estimation is not known, but several million are estimated to be living in Iran and a much smaller minority in Afghanistan. Iran and Pakistan share a nearly 1,000-kilometer border along the provinces, with extensive smuggling activity, particularly of petroleum. Both nations have accused each other of being lenient towards militant organisations in the region. Many Baluchs work as fuel carriers, known as 'sookhtbar' in Persian. They smuggle fuel over the border to Pakistan where it can be sold at a higher price. Notably, the Baluch are Sunni Muslims. In Iran, they are part of a religious as well as an ethnic minority, with the dominant religion in the Islamic republic Shiite Islam. Also read: Why did Iran attack Pakistan? What is Jaish al-Adl group targeted by Tehran? Situation in Pakistan For almost two decades, the Pakistani forces have been fighting the latest iteration of an ethnic Baluch separatist insurgency. Hundreds have died in attacks targeting security forces, government personnel and ethnically non-Baluch civilians. Baluch separatists and rights groups have often claimed that the military's campaign on the insurgency has resulted in numerous enforced disappearances and extrajudicial deaths. Since 2014, separatists have also targeted projects affiliated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a $58 billion project that is part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with substantial sections running through mineral-rich Balochistan. Image: A map showing Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeast Iran, along the border with Pakistan. Credit: AFP. What are the issues faced by the Baluch? A report by the news agency highlights how 2022 emerged as a challenge for the Baluch people in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province when its residents joined the nationwide protests in Iran over the death of young woman Mahsa Amini in police custody. The protest became a global phenomenon, the majority reflected nationwide anger, and security forces cracked down on the demonstrations. Amnesty reported that over 80 people were killed on September 30, 2022, when security forces opened fire on a protest in Sistan-Baluchistan's main city of Zahedan in what became known as its "bloody Friday". For a long period of time, the activists have claimed that Iran's Shiite clerical government has discriminated against the region economically and politically, with a disproportionate number of Baluch being executed, particularly on drug accusations. Several activists have said that dozens of Baluch have been killed by Iranian security forces in recent years. Amnesty International said that in 2021 at least 19 per cent of all executions in Iran were of members of the Baluch minority. Baluch on the Pakistani side of the border also complain of being disenfranchised, and the income from the province's rich natural resources not being adequately spent on local governance and social needs. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan strikes Iran targeting Baluch separatist group: Who are the Baluch, what are their issues?

Pakistan on Thursday (Jan 18) launched airstrikes in Iran against alleged militant hideouts, killing at least nine people. In the&nbsp;retaliatory action called&nbsp;operation "Marg Bar Sarmachar"&nbsp;several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders Pakistan, said&nbsp;Iranian state media.

The attack comes after Iran on Tuesday violated Pakistan's airspace and carried out strikes against "terrorist" targets in Pakistan which left at least two children dead. Iran said that the Jaish al-Adl group, which is an Iranian terrorist group, was targeted.

Jaish al-Adl was formed in 2012. It is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.&nbsp;

Pakistan denounced the strikes, calling it "illegal" and recalled its ambassador from Iran. Islamabad also blocked Tehran's envoy from returning to the South Asian nation.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan foreign ministry after the airstrikes on Thursday (Jan 18) said that "a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" on targets that were reportedly over 80 kilometres inside Iranian territory.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explained-why-did-iran-attack-pakistan-what-is-jaish-al-adl-680852">Why did Iran attack Pakistan? What is Jaish al-Adl group targeted by Tehran?</a>&nbsp;

In a statement, it added: "This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities. This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats."&nbsp;

Pakistan's military said that the main objective of the act was in pursuit of Pakistan's own "security and national interest".&nbsp;

Tehran strongly condemned the strikes. It summoned Pakistan's charge d'affaires, its most senior diplomat in Iran and asked for an explanation.

"The information received indicates that four children, three women and two men, who were foreign nationals, have been killed in the explosion that occurred in a village," Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state TV.

<h2>How exactly did the Pakistan army carry out airstrikes?&nbsp;</h2>

A Pakistani military statement said: "The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons" and the targets were bases used by the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and the associated Baloch Liberation Army.&nbsp;

Pakistan claims that the BLF has been waging an armed insurgency against the Pakistani state, including attacks against Chinese citizens and investments in Balochistan.&nbsp;

-Killer drones are small, palm-sized autonomous drones which use facial recognition and shaped explosives that can be programmed to seek out and eliminate known targets.&nbsp;

-Expert-based reports have noted that loitering munitions are typically smaller in size compared to traditional UAVs, which enables them to navigate through complex terrain and confined spaces easily. The munition can be optimised in terms of characteristics, such as keeping the life of the engine short, silence in the strike phase, speed of strike dive, and more.&nbsp;

-Standoff weapons are missiles fired from aircraft at a distance — likely meaning Pakistan’s fighter jets didn’t enter Iranian airspace.&nbsp;

A report by the EurAsian Times stated that Iran used Chinese-built fighter jets JF-17 'Thunder' and J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon'. Pakistan also deployed the Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Wing Loong II in its operation.&nbsp;

The report added that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters engaged the targets inside Iran with precision-guided air-to-ground munitions.&nbsp;

Pakistan said that seven locations were targeted after aerial reconnaissance carried out by UAVs confirmed the "presence of high-value terrorist targets". The primary precision-guided munition (PGM) used in airstrikes was the GIDS B-REK (Boosted Range Extension Kit), which is a rocket-boosted glide bomb and a precision-guided weapon with a range of 170 kilometres.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-iran-strikes-china-ready-to-play-constructive-role-in-de-escalating-conflict-681232">Pakistan-Iran strikes: China ready to play 'constructive role' in de-escalating conflict</a>&nbsp;

<h2>The security threat in Iran&nbsp;</h2>

The recent strikes were an escalation of tensions that have been long-simmering on both sides of the border but have rarely flared.&nbsp;

There have been attacks inside Iran in recent months by the Sunni militant separatist group Jaish al-Adl, which is blacklisted by Iran — also by its arch-foe the United States — as a terrorist organisation. In an attack claimed by the group in the town of Rask in December, 11 policemen were killed.&nbsp;

Jaish al-Adl was formed in the early years of the last decade following the breakup of a similar group, Jundallah, which had previously carried out assaults against Iranian security forces but was weakened after the capture and subsequent execution of its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in 2010.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan: Geo-Economic targets, neighbours and the region

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Iranian media reported that he was arrested in extraordinary circumstances in February 2010 when Iranian fighter jets forced a passenger plane he was travelling on to Kyrgyzstan to land in Iran. He was hanged in June of that year.&nbsp;

The recent escalation could get out of hand as several analysts have warned that Pakistan's reaction and official comments after its retaliatory strikes suggest that the nation wants to keep the row contained.&nbsp;

Asfandyar Mir, who is a senior expert on South Asia security at the US Institute of Peace, told the news agency Reuters: "Iran's motivation for attacking Pakistan remains opaque but in light of broader Iranian behaviour in the region it can escalate."&nbsp;

"What will cause anxiety in Tehran is that Pakistan has crossed a line by hitting inside Iranian territory, a threshold that even the U.S. and Israel have been careful to not breach," Mir added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pakistan on Thursday (Jan 18) launched airstrikes in Iran against alleged militant hideouts, killing at least nine people. In the retaliatory action called operation "Marg Bar Sarmachar" several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders Pakistan, said Iranian state media.

Pakistan on Thursday (Jan 18) launched airstrikes in Iran against alleged militant hideouts, killing at least nine people. In the retaliatory action called operation "Marg Bar Sarmachar" several missiles hit a village in the Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders Pakistan, said Iranian state media. The attack comes after Iran on Tuesday violated Pakistan's airspace and carried out strikes against "terrorist" targets in Pakistan which left at least two children dead. Iran said that the Jaish al-Adl group, which is an Iranian terrorist group, was targeted. Jaish al-Adl was formed in 2012. It is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years. Pakistan denounced the strikes, calling it "illegal" and recalled its ambassador from Iran. Islamabad also blocked Tehran's envoy from returning to the South Asian nation. Meanwhile, the Pakistan foreign ministry after the airstrikes on Thursday (Jan 18) said that "a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes" on targets that were reportedly over 80 kilometres inside Iranian territory. Also read: Why did Iran attack Pakistan? What is Jaish al-Adl group targeted by Tehran? In a statement, it added: "This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities. This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats." Pakistan's military said that the main objective of the act was in pursuit of Pakistan's own "security and national interest". Tehran strongly condemned the strikes. It summoned Pakistan's charge d'affaires, its most senior diplomat in Iran and asked for an explanation. "The information received indicates that four children, three women and two men, who were foreign nationals, have been killed in the explosion that occurred in a village," Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state TV. How exactly did the Pakistan army carry out airstrikes? A Pakistani military statement said: "The precision strikes were carried out using killer drones, rockets, loitering munitions and stand-off weapons" and the targets were bases used by the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and the associated Baloch Liberation Army. Pakistan claims that the BLF has been waging an armed insurgency against the Pakistani state, including attacks against Chinese citizens and investments in Balochistan. -Killer drones are small, palm-sized autonomous drones which use facial recognition and shaped explosives that can be programmed to seek out and eliminate known targets. -Expert-based reports have noted that loitering munitions are typically smaller in size compared to traditional UAVs, which enables them to navigate through complex terrain and confined spaces easily. The munition can be optimised in terms of characteristics, such as keeping the life of the engine short, silence in the strike phase, speed of strike dive, and more. -Standoff weapons are missiles fired from aircraft at a distance — likely meaning Pakistan’s fighter jets didn’t enter Iranian airspace. A report by the EurAsian Times stated that Iran used Chinese-built fighter jets JF-17 'Thunder' and J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon'. Pakistan also deployed the Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Wing Loong II in its operation. The report added that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters engaged the targets inside Iran with precision-guided air-to-ground munitions. Pakistan said that seven locations were targeted after aerial reconnaissance carried out by UAVs confirmed the "presence of high-value terrorist targets". The primary precision-guided munition (PGM) used in airstrikes was the GIDS B-REK (Boosted Range Extension Kit), which is a rocket-boosted glide bomb and a precision-guided weapon with a range of 170 kilometres. Also read: Pakistan-Iran strikes: China ready to play 'constructive role' in de-escalating conflict The security threat in Iran The recent strikes were an escalation of tensions that have been long-simmering on both sides of the border but have rarely flared. There have been attacks inside Iran in recent months by the Sunni militant separatist group Jaish al-Adl, which is blacklisted by Iran — also by its arch-foe the United States — as a terrorist organisation. In an attack claimed by the group in the town of Rask in December, 11 policemen were killed. Jaish al-Adl was formed in the early years of the last decade following the breakup of a similar group, Jundallah, which had previously carried out assaults against Iranian security forces but was weakened after the capture and subsequent execution of its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in 2010. Watch: Pakistan: Geo-Economic targets, neighbours and the region × Iranian media reported that he was arrested in extraordinary circumstances in February 2010 when Iranian fighter jets forced a passenger plane he was travelling on to Kyrgyzstan to land in Iran. He was hanged in June of that year. The recent escalation could get out of hand as several analysts have warned that Pakistan's reaction and official comments after its retaliatory strikes suggest that the nation wants to keep the row contained. Asfandyar Mir, who is a senior expert on South Asia security at the US Institute of Peace, told the news agency Reuters: "Iran's motivation for attacking Pakistan remains opaque but in light of broader Iranian behaviour in the region it can escalate." "What will cause anxiety in Tehran is that Pakistan has crossed a line by hitting inside Iranian territory, a threshold that even the U.S. and Israel have been careful to not breach," Mir added. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: Which weapons were used, how exactly did Pakistan carry out airstrikes in Iran?

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Pakistan strikes Iran targeting Baluch separatist group: Who are the Baluch, what are their issues?

Explained: Which weapons were used, how exactly did Pakistan carry out airstrikes in Iran?