Time for restraint

As the 27 members of the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards — who lost their lives in the February 13 suicide bombing in Sistan-Baluchistan province — were laid to rest, chants of ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Zionism’ could be heard from the chest-beating mourners who had gathered in Bozorgmehr Square in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, where the soldiers were based. President Hassan Rouhani too, while vowing to avenge the attack, said the “main root of terrorism in the region is America and Zionists”. The commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guard Corps also raised an accusing finger at the same elements.

It is, therefore, surprising to see Iran’s foreign ministry summon Pakistan’s ambassador in Tehran over the suicide attack that targeted its security forces. Jaish al-Adl — a terrorist group which emerged from Jundullah following the capture, trial and execution of its founder, Abdul Malik Riggi, in 2010 by Iran — has claimed responsibility for the attack in the Iranian territory which straddles the border with Pakistan. Iran believes Jaish al-Adl operates from across the border in Pakistan, and its foreign ministry has called upon Islamabad to quickly take the necessary steps for the arrest of the perpetrators of the attack.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has condemned the attack, saying that the country is “shocked and grieved to hear about the suicide attack on IRGC bus near Zahidan today, in which many lives were lost. Deepest sympathies with the families of those who have suffered in this heinous attack of terror.”

Pakistan and Iran have hitherto acted wisely in their reaction to such terrorist activities that are aimed at sowing diplomatic discord between the two neighbouring countries, mainly attempting to derail CPEC and other potential investments in Pakistan. The two sides need to liaise on terrorism and border security issues, and focus on their common security concerns.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2019.

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