Pakistan foreign office has strongly protested the violation of the country’s airspace by Iran in a strike that killed two children. In a strongly worded statement late Tuesday night the foreign office warned Iran of “serious consequences”.
Pakistan also summoned Iran’s charge d’affair in Islamabad to condemn the attack.
Irani state media, meanwhile, first reported a strike inside Pakistan but the story soon disappeared from state TV and wires.
Reports said Iran launched a drone and missile strike in Balochistan’s Panjur district in the Sabz Koh area near the Iranian border. Makran Divisional Commissioner Said Imrani confirmed the development to the BBC Urdu and said the authorities were collecting more information.
The missile hit a populous area and left two children dead while other people were injured, reported BBC Urdu.
The foreign office called the strike “unprovoked violation of its airspace.”
“Pakistan strongly condemns the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory which resulted in death of two innocent children while injuring three girls,” it said in a statement.
“This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences,” the foreign office warned.
“It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan’s strong protest has already been lodged with the concerned senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.
“Additionally, the Iranian Charge d’affaires has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and that the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.
“Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.”