2 Pakistani family members of Jaysh al-Adl fighters killed 3 Pakistani family members of Jaysh al-Adl fighters injured
On 16 January 2024, Iran carried out a series of missile and drone strikes within Pakistan's Balochistan province, claiming that it had targeted the Iranian Baloch Sunni militant group Jaysh al-Adl. The incident occurred one day after Iran carried out a similar series of aerial and drone strikes within Iraq and Syria, claiming that it had targeted the regional headquarters of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad within Iraqi semi-autonomous Kurdish region and several strongholds of terrorist groups, in Taltita, Syria, in response to the Kerman bombings on 3 January, for which the Islamic State took responsibility and December 2023 killing of IRGC general Seyed Razi Mousavi. The Pakistani government condemned the attack, stating that Iran had killed two Pakistani nationals and calling it an "unprovoked violation" of Pakistan's airspace.
On 18 January, Pakistan conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, claiming it had struck hideouts belonging to Baloch separatist insurgents engaged in conflict against Pakistan. The Iranian government stated nine foreign citizens, including three women and four children, were killed in the airstrikes.[1]
Iranian state TV said that the IRGC[3] had used precision missiles and drone strikes to destroy two strongholds of Jaysh al-Adl in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province. The attack targeted houses in the village of Koh-e-Sabz in Panjgur District,[6] about 50 kilometres (31mi) from the Iran–Pakistan border. Pakistan said that two were killed in the attack and four others were injured.[7] It also said that between three and four drones were launched in the area, hitting a mosque, a house and other buildings.[3]
Jaysh al-Adl claimed that six drones and rockets struck the residences of its fighters' families, killing two and injuring three.[3]
Aftermath
The day after the attack, IRGC Colonel Hossein Ali Javadanfar was assassinated by an unidentified gunman in Iranshahr, Sistan and Baluchestan province.[8][9] Jaysh al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reports from Iranian media.[10]
On 19 January, Pakistan's caretaker prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar announced that normal diplomatic relations with Iran had been restored, following a foreign ministry statement that said that the two sides had agreed to de-escalate the conflict.[13] On 29 January, Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Pakistan as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions following the attacks.[14]
Reactions
Pakistan
Pakistan condemned what it called was an "unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran", stating that it was "even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran".[5] On 17 January, Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Iran. A foreign ministry spokesperson expressed that the attack represented a blatant breach of Pakistan's sovereignty and deemed it "unacceptable," adding that Pakistan retained the right to respond to this "illegal" act.[15] Pakistan also prohibited the Iranian ambassador from returning to his post.[16][15]
Iran
Defence minister Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said in a televised speech that "It doesn't make a difference for us where the Islamic Republic is being threatened from, we will have a proportionate, decisive and firm reaction."[17]
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian clarified the strikes targeted an "Iranian terrorist group" and that "none of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan were targeted by Iranian missiles and drones".[18]
Other countries
China: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning urged Iran and Pakistan to show "restraint" and "avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension" while adding that both countries are regarded as "close neighbours" of Beijing.[5]
India: The Ministry of External Affairs released an official statement declaring the country's neutrality towards "a matter between Iran and Pakistan" and also highlighted the Indian government's "uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism" while explaining that it understands "actions that countries take in their self-defence" against terrorist entities.[19]
Russia: The Foreign Ministry called on Pakistan and Iran to show maximum restraint and to solve their differences through diplomatic resolutions, or risk playing into the hands of those who would like to see the region descend into chaos.[20]
United States: The State Department condemned the Iranian attack, noting that Iran had violated "the sovereign borders of three of its neighbors in just the past couple days".[21]
Supranational organizations
European Union: The bloc expressed "utmost concern" over the Iranian attack as well as the Pakistani attack the following day, saying that "they violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries" and produce "a destabilising effect on the region."[22]
United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres called on Iran and Pakistan to "exercise maximum restraint", saying that he was deeply concerned about the exchange of military strikes between the two countries.[23]
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Iran 
Jaysh al-Adl 
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps 
