Iran missile attack on Pakistan, 2 killed

International Desk: Its neighbor Iran launched a missile and drone attack on the base of a Sunni "extremist" group inside Pakistan. Two children were killed and three others were injured.

The attack took place on Tuesday (January 17) in a village in southwestern Balochistan province near the border. Iran attacked Pakistan on Monday (January 15), a day after launching missile attacks on various facilities in Iraq and Syria. Islamabad has expressed extreme anger and determination to take revenge in this incident.

Iran's state-owned Tasnim news agency reported that Iran has destroyed two bases of the Jaish al-Adal extremist group in Balochistan with precision missiles and drone strikes. It is known as Jaish al-Dhoom in Iran. There were two bases in the Koh-Sabaz or Green Mountain region of Balochistan. In a statement on Wednesday (January 17), the spokesperson of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said that Pakistan strongly condemns such an attack by Iran in violation of Pakistan's airspace.

Such actions are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and totally unacceptable. The consequences can be dire. He also said that despite the many opportunities for communication between the two countries, such an act would further raise concerns. Pakistan has already lodged a protest with Iran's foreign ministry. In addition, Iran's chaise d'affaires has been summoned and condemned.

This kind of attack by Iran inside Pakistan is unprecedented. The two countries share a nearly 900-kilometer (559-mile) border in the area where the attack took place. This border has been a matter of concern for both countries. Both Pakistan and Iran have been attacked by separatist groups in the region. The group, Jaish al-Adl, has been active in the sparsely populated region for decades.

More than a dozen Iranian police were killed in attacks by the group last month. Iran claimed that terrorists from Pakistan carried out the attack. According to the US Director of National Intelligence, Jaish al-Adl is the most active and influential Sunni extremist group operating in Sistan-Baluchistan.