Iran-Pakistan strikes: Iran and Pakistan have a complicated relationship that is on the verge of collapse. Iran reportedly crossed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday and launched strikes in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, presumably in retaliation for operations by the Sunni organization Jaish al-Adl, which has operated within Iran.

According to Pakistan, the attack claimed the lives of two youngsters. First, Islamabad reacted diplomatically, pulling its ambassador from Tehran, protesting to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and calling off bilateral meetings. Targeting “Pakistan-origin terrorists” with bases in Iran, Pakistan started its strikes on Thursday in the Sistan-Baluchestan province of Iran. An intensification of this conflict is unaffordable for both Pakistan and Iran. The former is already embroiled in several proxy conflicts throughout West Asia, most notably the battle between Israel and Hamas. Pakistan is engulfed in a severe economic crisis and shares militarised and unstable borders with Afghanistan and India.

Despite being Islamic republics, Pakistan and Iran, Muslim minorities living on the “periphery” of both countries lack equal rights and proper representation. The largest province in Pakistan, Balochistan, is vast in territory yet has a relatively low population. Although there are many cultural and linguistic similarities among the Baloch people, there are also big internal divisions based on tribe, class, and sect. Both states have frequently shown mistrust and blatant prejudice towards the group.

Both outside parties and armed separatist organizations have exploited this. The former has employed each nation’s frontier areas against the other. Tehran and Islamabad have frequently charged one another with giving these terrorist groups covert support or, at the very least, failing to take sufficient action to combat them. Among the Sunni-Salafist groups battling for an independent Sistan-Baluchestan and allegedly operating out of Pakistan is Jaish al-Adl. In the past, the group has taken credit for attacks and explosions against Iran’s border police. Numerous attacks on both sides of the border last year resulted in the deaths of security personnel.

It’s still unclear what precipitated Iran’s bold action right away. Given the regional context—it conducted comparable strikes in Syria and Iraq earlier this week—the move against Pakistan might be a component of a broader show of force in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict spreading to other regions of West Asia. Additionally, there has reportedly been a recent uptick in Jaish al-Adl activity. Regardless of the provocations, both parties must now behave responsibly.

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Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that the attack’s only goal was to safeguard the nation’s security, but the Army countered that bilateral problems may be resolved through “dialogue and cooperation.” Governments and armed forces must stop supporting terrorism after this moment. Over time, resolving the grievances of marginalized minorities in the area will assist in addressing the threat posed by violent separatist movements.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/express-view-on-iran-pakistan-conflict-step-back-from-brink-9116239/