Experts agree Pakistan's response to Iranian incursion appropriate

Tehran's reckless and unprovoked attack on a friendly nation demanded a decisive response, says Naveed Hussain

Experts agree that Pakistan's military response to the Iranian incursion was appropriate and called it a 'vital necessity' to maintain credible deterrence. 

They also warned proxies and their handlers that Pakistani security and intelligence agencies know the whereabouts of  Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) hideouts in Afghanistan and those of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) in Iran.

پاکستان پر حملہ، کیا ایرانی حکومت اور ایرانی فوج میں اختلافات پیدا ہوگئے ؟ تجزیہ کار نوید حسین نے بڑی خبر دے دی@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/QZzgwvDPQA

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

“Tehran's reckless and unprovoked attack on a friendly nation demanded a decisive response and Pakistan responded very effectively which is called deterrence,” said Chief Editor of The Express Tribune Naveed Hussain while speaking on Express News talk show 'Experts'.

The chief editor also questioned if the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are operating as a 'state within a state' and whether they sought consent of the Iranian state before executing the attack or acted unilaterally.

“How did Tehran make such a big miscalculation overlooking Pakistan's nuclear capability? Tehran had a precedent in the February 2019 incident when India engaged in a similar act of aggression in Balakot, and Pakistan's robust response was a testament to its capabilities” Hussain underscored.

پاکستان نے ایران میں کیسے حملہ کیا، دہشت گردوں میں کونسے'' اہم لوگ" تھے ؟تجزیہ کار عامر الیاس رانا نے آپریشن کی حیرت انگیز تفصیلات بتادیں@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/6lPf3xEdrK

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

The senior journalist also highlighted the responsible nature of Pakistan as a state. 

Emphasising Islamabad's responsible conduct, Hussain noted that Pakistan has never engaged in reckless and unilateral actions, but Tehran's recent incursion demanded a necessary response.

“Pakistan has also provided the names of those killed in the attack, Iran has also confirmed that the dead are not the Iranian citizens. It seems that Iran will now try to de-escalate the situation” Hussain said. 

While referring to the press release from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Hussain pointed out that the military's media wing, explicitly conveyed to "Tehran that the scores are now even, let’s sit and de-escalate the situation through talks". 

پاکستان پر حملہ، کیا ایرانی حکومت اور ایرانی فوج میں اختلافات پیدا ہوگئے ؟ تجزیہ کار نوید حسین نے بڑی خبر دے دی@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/QZzgwvDPQA

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

Group Editor of Daily Express Ayaz Khan termed Pakistan’s military response to Iran as “befitting”. He also expressed bewilderment at Iran's apparent lack of awareness, questioning how it could be possible for the Revolutionary Guards to launch an attack on Pakistan without Tehran's knowledge.

“It was inevitable to respond, to settle the score and demonstrate that we can act on the exact target and that is what we did in 2019 agianst India. The example of Indian pilot Abhinandan is also a clear example for everyone” Khan emphasised.

He asserted that following the incident in Iran, India should also understand that if Pakistan is provoked, it will respond similarly, ensuring no collateral damage.

“There is also a message for Afghanistan as well, who claims TTP is not under their control. The broader message for Afghanistan and the entire region is that if provoked, the response will be more severe," added Khan.

پاکستان کا ایران کو جواب، پاکستان نے کس کس کو کیا پیغام دے دیا؟
تجزیہ کار ایاز خان@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/GCFBH7GLNt

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

Khan refered to Tehran's statement that there were no civilian casualties in Pakistan’s strike but all terrorists were killed.

Express News Bureau Chief Islamabad Amir Ilyas Rana asserted that similar to how the then US President Obama monitored the Osama bin Laden operation, the entire Pakistani military leadership also closely monitored the response to the Iranian intrusion.

"By penetrating 40 kilometres into Iran, Pakistan carried out a strategic attack, showcasing the utilisation of sensitive equipment. Comprehensive footage covers every inch of the operation, affirming the absence of any assault on the civilian population of Iran" Rana underscored.

He pointed out that the press release of ISPR was issued after much thought, in which it has been revealed that Pakistan had been providing dossiers to Iran for several years, though it had not been publicised due to the fraternal ties between the two Islamic countries.

“The response to Iran is also a clear message to the Taliban and TTP that whoever comes towards Pakistan's territory will have to face serious consequences” Rana maintained.

پاکستان پر حملہ، کیا ایرانی حکومت اور ایرانی فوج میں اختلافات پیدا ہوگئے ؟ تجزیہ کار نوید حسین نے بڑی خبر دے دی@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain @navidjourno pic.twitter.com/QZzgwvDPQA

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

He further said that Pakistan has no conflict with the Iranian nation or Iran itself. The primary concern lies in why Iran supports proxies such as TTP, managed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The message is clear that there is no room for such elements in the relationship between the two states.

Express News Bureau Chief Karachi Faisal Husain said that Pakistan didn’t attack Iran but responded to its intrusion, Pakistan's action should be called a response, not an attack.

مسنگ پرسنز میں سے کون ایران میں نشانہ بنا، سنیے تجزیہ کار فیصل حسین سے@MuhammadIlyaspk @RanaAamirilyas @navidjourno @Duaakanwal1 @itsmeayazkhan @s_faisalhussain pic.twitter.com/EX64JoqsAo

— Experts (@express_experts) January 18, 2024

He added that the response could have been more formidable, but it was deliberately restrained. The intention was to convey to the entire world that Pakistan is unwavering in its commitment to preserving its integrity and will not compromise on it.