Iran and Pakistan agree to de-escalate after firing missiles at each other

Pakistan is finally on the backfoot after firing missiles in response to Iran's air strike and indicated to reduce the current tension with Shia dominated country Iran.

Pakistan's cabinet has decided to end the ongoing deadlock with Iran.

On Tuesday, Iran attacked the positions of Sunni extremists Jaish-al-Adl in Balochistan, Pakistan with missiles and drones. Pakistan said that 2 children were killed in Iran's attacks, while 3 people were injured. Pakistan had told Iran to face serious consequences for these attacks. A day after this, Pakistan carried out a similar attack in Panjgur area of Sistan Baluchistan province of Iran. According to Iran, 9 people lost their lives in these attacks.

Pakistan Air Force targeted the positions of extremist organizations Baluchistan Liberation Army and Baluchistan Liberation Front in Sistan Baluchistan province of Iran. Pakistani Army says that killer drones, rockets and other weapons were used in this attack based on intelligence information. Let us tell you that just a few hours before this attack, Iran's Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian had talked to his Pakistani counterpart on phone.

After Pakistan's retaliatory action, Iran had summoned the Pakistani Embassy official. At the same time, the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan returned prematurely from the World Economic Forum. Earlier, Pakistan had issued an order to Iran's ambassador to leave the country. Apart from this, its ambassador present in Tehran was also asked to return immediately.

"Close coordination on counter-terrorism and other aspects of mutual concern should be strengthened," Jilani said. According to a statement issued by Islamabad's Foreign Ministry, "They have also agreed to reduce the current tense situation."

"Cooperation between the two countries is necessary to neutralize and destroy terrorist bases in Pakistan," Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Antoine Levesques of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said, "The result of the new situation is that the two countries are clearly and symbolically equal."

Meanwhile, on Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar held an emergency security meeting with the chiefs of the army and intelligence agencies. Both Tehran and Islamabad have said they have targeted hideouts of domestic terrorists sheltering in foreign territory.

At least 11 people are reported dead in the attacks from both sides. These include mostly women and children. There is an atmosphere of panic among the people of remote villages in Panjgur district of Iran due to these attacks. Villagers fear that the border may be closed due to deteriorating relations between the two countries. In such a situation, rural Iranians may get disconnected from trade.