Pakistan confirmed that it carried out air strikes against militant targets in Iran, days after Tehran launched attacks on Pakistani territory. Four children and three women were killed in the attacks, Iranian media reported.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said that the precision strikes were aimed at terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. In its statement, the country also said that several terrorists were killed in the operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.

Here is Pakistan’s full statement on the retaliatory strikes in Iran:

This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.

Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists  calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.

However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars.

This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.

Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.

As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.

Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions.

Pakistan’s air strikes comes after Iran carried out strikes against “terrorist targets” late Tuesday in Pakistan — an attack that Islamabad said killed two children. The missile and drone attack targeted the Jaish al-Adl group in Pakistan, Iran said.

Jaish al-Adl is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and the  group operates along predominantly Iran’s porous border with Pakistan. It’s launched multiple attacks on Iranian security forces, most recently a December assault on a police station that killed 11 people.

In a scathing comeback to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s armchair swipe, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the BJP leader has adopted the “Modi Government’s uncaring attitude to the public” since he switched sides.

Mr Scindia, who quit the Congress in 2020 to join the BJP, had earlier hit back at Mr Tharoor’s posts on fliers’ woes over the past couple of weeks due to flight delays and other lapses by airlines. Calling the Congress leader an “arm-chair critic”, the minister had said sharing “selective” news articles does not count as research. He had cited data to show how the aviation sector has evolved under the Narendra Modi government.

6/6 My dear @JM_Scindia, it’s a pity that since switching sides you have adopted the Modi Government’s uncaring attitude to the public. As @RahulGandhi said during the #BharatJodoNyayYatra, it’s clear the suffering of the people is not the suffering of this Government. Crores… https://t.co/AoJsUDEG1H pic.twitter.com/2702g5lEGx

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 18, 2024

Doubling down, Mr Tharoor posted on X this morning that he is not denying that there has been growth but is pointing out “evident shortcomings” in the government’s planning and its failure to proactively tackle predictable problems.

Taking a dig at Mr Scindia’s switch to the BJP, he said, “My dear @JM_Scindia, it’s a pity that since switching sides you have adopted the Modi Government’s uncaring attitude to the public. As @RahulGandhi said during the #BharatJodoNyayYatra, it’s clear the suffering of the people is not the suffering of this Government.”

“Crores worth of economic value lost, lakhs of lives disrupted, and thousands of people unable to go about their daily lives during this festive season – and all the Hon Minister can do is to engage in name-calling, Mr Tharoor added.

He said he is not denying that there has been “some growth” or blaming the government for the dense fog conditions that paralysed flight services, especially in North India. “I am pointing out that there are a number of evident shortcomings in the Govt’s planning & its failure to take pro-active action on problems that could easily have been anticipated,” he said.

Hitting back at the minister’s armchair jibe, he said, “The Hon Minister would be better served by shifting his focus from my arm-chair and my diligent researchers to the agony of the passengers. Perhaps, then he would find time to fix the myriad incompetencies, absolute lack of preparation, and the glaring loopholes in his Ministry’s functioning.”

Earlier, Mr Tharoor had questioned why Delhi airport was not prepared well in advance for predictable foggy conditions in winter. In response, Mr Scindia had cited how pollution control exercises had delayed work and also said corrective actions are being taken for any laxity on the part of airlines.

Air travel services and air carriers have been in the news for the wrong reasons over the past couple of weeks. Besides hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed daily, lapses in timely and transparent communication to passengers and other services have also come to the fore.

In one case, an Air India flight was delayed by 17 hours and passengers were seen eating their meals on the tarmac. In another shocker, a passenger was locked in the toilet of a SpiceJet aircraft for the whole duration of a Mumbai-Bengaluru flight.

In some cases, passengers’ rising tempers over delays led to unfortunate incidents. An IndiGo pilot was attacked by a passenger while he was announcing a delay. On the social media, many users, including public figures, have flagged poor services by air carriers despite charging high ticket prices.

Javed Akhtar celebrated his 79th birthday yesterday. For the special occasion, Anil Kapoor hosted a star-studded bash. In attendance were several Bollywood celebs including Sonam Kapoor who arrived with her husband Anand Ahuja and Madhuri Dixit.

Javed Akhtar arrived for his birthday bash alongside Shabana Azmi. Akhtar opted for a wine-coloured kurta paired with a coat and pyjamas. He was all smiles with his beautiful wife, actress Shabana Azmi who opted for a black kaftan with colourful details.

Check out the photos here: