Pakistan Confirms Attack from Inside Iran; 'Two Innocent Children' Killed

On Tuesday, Pakistan confirmed that the Islamic Republic has attacked its territory, calling it a violation of its airspace. Media close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that on Tuesday, January 16, Iran targeted positions of the armed group 'Jaish al-Adl' in Pakistan with 'missiles and drones.' Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that 'Jaish al-Adl' finds refuge in Pakistan and uses its territory to launch attacks into Iran, having lodged several protests with Pakistan regarding this issue. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated in 2019 that the group Jundallah, which has been listed as a terrorist organization, remains on that list, and all new names and related names, including Jaish al-Adl, are added to the list of terrorist groups. The Pakistani government strongly condemned the Iranian attack in its recent statement, noting that 'two innocent children' were killed and three girls were injured in the attack. Pakistan stated that violations of its sovereignty could have 'serious consequences.' Pakistan is equipped with nuclear weapons and has itself been embroiled in attacks from Islamist insurgents. Pakistan has indicated that the consequences of the violation of its sovereignty lie with Iran and that this could damage 'bilateral trust.' Pakistan has stated that it has lodged a formal protest with the Iranian Foreign Ministry and has summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Pakistan. The missile attack was reported on the same day that the Islamic Republic News Agency announced a joint naval exercise between the Iranian Navy and the Pakistani Navy in the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz, along with a meeting between Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The attack inside Pakistan was reported just hours after the IRGC's attack on Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria.