Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has warned Pakistan against state sponsored terrorism. It is well known that Pakistan uses non-state actors to fight proxy wars against neighboring countries of India and Iran. “We are witnessing many terrorist attacks by terrorists who are unfortunately located on the Pakistani soil, and in dealing with these terrorists, whose existence are not in favour of us, you and the region, we are fully ready to cooperate with the Pakistani army and government,” said Rouhani to the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. “We are awaiting your strong action against these terrorists,” he added.
Just a day before Pulwama attack on February 13, a Pakistan based terrorist group named Jaish-ul-Adl killed 27 Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran. The attack took place in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province which borders the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The terror attack has been perpetrated by a Sunni Muslim extremist group Jaish al-Adl. This group is affiliated with al-Qaida and is an incarnation of Jundallah, a terrorist group, which began a bloody rebellion against the Islamic republic in 2000.
Jaish al-Adl was founded in 2012 by Salahuddin Farooqui, a militant known for his opposition to Iran’s support for President Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s civil war. Since then it has claimed responsibility for dozens of deadly bombings, ambushes and other attacks on Iranian security forces in the restive region, as well as abductions. This group operates in Balochistan and attempts to target and create terror among Shia Muslims.
Iran has had issues with Pakistan backed terrorist organizations for a long time. The two nations share a 965 km border which has been fraught with disturbances. On many occasions, Iran has accused Islamabad of allowing terror groups to use its territory to launch strikes across the border.“The continuation of these terrorists’ activities from the Pakistani soil can undermine the relations between the two countries,” warned Iranian president. Earlier head of Revolutionary Guards Quds Force (an elite unit) Qassem Soleimani has warned that if Pakistani armed forces do not take actions these terror groups Iran will retaliate by entering Pakistani territory.
Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari further added that if any action is not taken by Pakistan on the terrorists, Iran is likely to take military action. “If Pakistan does not carry out its responsibilities, Iran reserves the right to confront threats on its borders … based on international law and will retaliate to punish the terrorists,” Jafari was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.
What Iran is going through is easily understandable. Just like Iran, we are also facing the menace of Pakistan-based terror groups. And just like India, Iran also has the right of crossing over into the neighbouring country and decimating the terror groups being raised on its oil. India must closely observe the hostile relations between Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan being a terrorist country is not going to stop its insidious activities. India must ensure that it allies itself closely with the Iranian leadership and takes strong measures towards helping Iran, directly or indirectly, in combating Pakistan-based terror groups.