Chronology of Border Tensions between Pakistan and Iran

Chronology of Border Tensions between Pakistan and Iran

Pakistan and Iran face a potential breakdown in diplomatic ties following an Iranian missile attack that killed two children and injured three others on Tuesday. In response, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran and prevented Iran’s envoy to Islamabad, currently traveling, from returning.

Islamabad accused Iran of violating Pakistani airspace, while Iranian state media reported that missiles targeted Jaish al-Adl armed group bases.

Despite the recent tensions, the two nations have a history of navigating disputes along their 900km volatile border.

Past incidents of violence have strained diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Iran. These chronology of border tensions between Pakistan and Iran are highlighted as follows:

December 2023                                                      

The blacklisted group Jaish al-Adl, considered a “terror” group by Iran, claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in Rask, Iran. The attack occurred in the southeastern border province of Sistan-Baluchestan, resulting in the death of 11 Iranian security personnel. Pakistan condemned the attack by Jaish al-Adl.

June 2023                

The Pakistani military’s media wing, ISPR, released a statement confirming that armed “terrorists” killed two Pakistani soldiers at a checkpoint in Singwan, Kech district. Following the incident, Pakistan reached out to Iranian authorities to prevent the escape of the attackers into Iran.

April 2023

The ISPR announced that attackers from Iran were responsible for killing four Pakistani border patrol soldiers.The incident occurred in the Jalgai sector of the Kech district.

January 2023

Shehbaz Sharif, then Pakistan’s prime minister, condemned the killing of four security officials along the Iran border in Balochistan. The attack occurred in the Chukab sector of Panjgur district. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Iran to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable. The Iranian embassy in Islamabad also condemned the attack.

September 2021

Pakistan attributed the killing of a soldier to cross-border firing from Iran, placing the blame on “terrorists” operating from Iran.. The incident occurred after the reopening of the border for bilateral trade on September 20. The border had been closed for four months due to security concerns.

February 2021

Iranian soldiers entered Pakistani territory. The mission was to rescue two intelligence agents reportedly captured by “terrorists,” according to Tehran’s claim.

April 20, 2019

Former Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi informed the media. According to Qureshi, “terrorists” from the Raji Aajoi Sangar separatist group based in Iran attacked a bus in Balochistan. The attack resulted in the death of 14 people, including 10 navy officers, three air force staffers, and one from the coastguard.

December 6, 2018

A suicide car bomb attack on the police headquarters in Chabahar, Iran, resulted in four policemen killed and 42 people wounded. Then-Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran blamed “foreign-backed terrorists,” widely interpreted as an accusation against Pakistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Islamabad condemned the attack.

October 16, 2018

Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for kidnapping 12 Iranian security personnel on the southeastern border with Pakistan. Pakistani security forces assisted Iran in securing the release of at least five of the 12 abductees from the armed group.

April 17, 2018

IRGC reported that armed fighters killed three Iranian security personnel. The incident occurred in a cross-border attack on a border post in Mirjaveh, Sistan-Baluchestan province.

June 22, 2017

Pakistan’s foreign office reported that the air force shot down an Iranian drone. The incident occurred in Punjgur territory. This marked the first time Pakistan had shot down an Iranian drone.

April 26, 2017

Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for an attack in Mirjaveh that resulted in the death of 10 Iranian border guards. According to Iranian state media quoting police officials, the killings were carried out using long-range guns. The Iranian government attributed the ultimate responsibility for the attack to the Pakistani government.

Earlier attacks

Since 2013, Jaish al-Adl has been conducting attacks against Iranian border guards. In 2013 the group  killed 14 Iranian soldiers in an ambush near the border. at least five members of Iranian forces were abducted by Jaish al-Adl in 2014 . In December 2010, a suicide attack near a mosque in Chabahar resulted in the death of 41 people and left 90 others wounded