- Pak-Iran relations
Militants holed up on the Pakistani side of the long 900km border with Iran killing and/or kidnapping Iranian border guards is hardly a new phenomenon. It has happened many times. Once, a few years ago, the Iranians threatened to cross over and carry out their own operations if the Pakistanis weren’t up to the task. The local press was immediately concerned. The Iranians are naturally very serious about their security. They are circled from all sides, after all, and face the full force of not just US, EU, etc, diplomatic aggression, but also regional proxy adventures. A direct threat from their interior ministry, therefore, was taken very seriously.
Fortunately, both sides were able to work successfully towards a much needed de-escalation. Yet that was hardly the end of the matter. Such attacks are still a matter of routine. And though nobody’s claimed the latest abduction of 10 Iranian border guards, it is most likely the handiwork of militant outfit Jaish al Adl, some of whose assassins and drug traffickers were gunned down by Iranian border guards recently. So far after such incidents both sides have been mindful not to play into the hands of terrorists. One of their principal aims – in addition to killing Iranians, of course – is sowing seeds of discord among the neighbours.
As DG Military Operations of the two countries coordinate the rescue effort, it is imperative that Islamabad and Tehran not fall out over the matter. Reports indicate that Iran refused to accept the credentials of Pakistan’s ambassador designate precisely over the border matter, even though they cited procedural technicalities, which is concerning. Fortunately the two foreign ministers had a constructive and timely telephone exchange. And even though a quick and successful release of the abducted guards is hoped for, it is imperative that the two governments sit down and find a final solution to this problem.
