19 Jan Iran-Pakistan conflict

Iran-Pakistan conflict

This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ‘ Iran-Pakistan conflict’ This topic is relevant in the “International Relations” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

UPSC MAINS GS2 Syllabus: Effect of politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Why in the News?

Iran has blasted two sites of militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan’s Balochistan province with missiles and drones. This incident has killed 2 children and wounded another three. As a result, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador and dismissed the Iranian diplomat.

Why Iran attacked Pakistan: 

• Iran has described the missile strikes as a retaliation for terrorist acts that have occurred inside its borders.
• Iran launched an attack on the Kurdistan region of Iraq, while the target in Pakistan was the Balochistan province, which is close to the Iranian border and home to the base of the Sunni Muslim extremist group Jaish al-Adl. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for carrying out the strikes.
• According to Iran, terrorist organisations were the intended targets of the suicide attack that claimed 84 lives during a Qassim Suleimani mourning parade.
• The attacks on an Iranian police post in the southeast region of Sistan-Baluchistan prompted the missile strikes on targets in Pakistan as well.

About Sistan-Baluchistan

• There are one to four million members of the Baluch minority in Iran, most of whom are concentrated in Sistan-Baluchistan’s southeast.
• The area is undeveloped and impoverished. It is made up of rough, rocky terrain, it has developed into a sanctuary for opium and heroin smugglers from over the border in nearby Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Demography of Sistan-Baluchistan: The majority of the Baluchs that reside there are Sunni Muslims who consider themselves to be members of a historic tradition distinct from the Persian ethnic group of Iran.Shia people make up the bulk of Iran’s population. They have a strong sense of identity with the Baluch communities in Pakistan, across the border.

About Jaish al-Adl

• Jaish al-Adl, which translates to “Army of Justice,” is a violent Sunni Salafist organisation based in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. 
• These terrorists operate in Pakistan’s and Iran’s mountainous border regions. According to Iranian officials, it was created in 2012 and mostly functions in Pakistan.
• This group’s militants claim that they are fighting for Asli Balochistan, the province of Sistan and Baluchistan, to become independent. This province, which borders the Indian Ocean and the province of Balochistan in Pakistan, is situated in southeast Iran.
• The group has purportedly carried out a number of violent operations in Iran, claiming to have bombed targets and abducted Iranian border police officers.
• Jaish al-Adl took credit for a suicide bombing that killed 27 members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard paramilitary group in 2019 and was directed towards a bus.
• Iran has suspicions that militants are being hosted by Sunni-majority Pakistan, potentially with Saudi Arabia’s request.

Instability in the Region

• Spread of War

   Global observers are of the opinion that the disastrous war in Gaza may escalate into a more extensive and deadly regional confrontation in central Asia.

• Continued American troop presence in Iraq

  The attack may lead to the continued deployment of American forces in Iraq.

• Resurgence of Kurdish Militia

  Tensions between Iranian Kurds and Kurds may increase as a result of the onslaught on Kurdish territories. 

• Start of a proxy war

  Iran’s actions could lead to a conflict between Iran and the United States and its allies.

• Escalation of Tensions

  Since the end of the Afghan civil war, the region of central Asia has been quiet. Things could soon change.

How is it going to impact India?

• Impacts on Chabahar Project

  The instability may have an impact on the Chabahar port project, which is situated in the Sistan-Baluchistan area of Iran.

• Indian Stakes in Afghanistan

  India has interests in development projects in Afghanistan, where the conflicts could expand.

• Pakistan’s security dilemma

  Should Pakistan fall apart, India doesn’t want nuclear weapons to end up in the hands of non-state actors.

• A surge in insurgency in J&K

  Pakistan can intensify insurgency in the region to deflect attention away from its own citizens during election season.

India’s position on Terrorism

• Zero tolerance

  When it comes to terrorism, India maintains an unwavering stance.

• Non-state actors

  India opposes using force against a state in order to combat terrorism, but it supports using force against non-state actors.

• Labelling

  India is against categorising acts of terrorism according to the reasons behind them.

• Self-defense

  India is aware of the measures other nations take to protect themselves. India acknowledges the legitimate national liberation groups’ right to self-defense.

• Cooperation

  India is in favour of greater international cooperation in the battle against terrorism.

UPSC prelims question

Q1) Which of the following strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea: 

1. a) Strait of Hormuz
2. b) Strait of Malacca
3. c) Bering strait
4. d) Sunda strait

ANSWER: A

Q2) Which of the following are NOT correctly matched?

1) Strait of Bab-el- Mandeb – between Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

2) Strait of Malacca – between Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra

3) Strait of Hormuz – between Oman and Iran 

Select from the following codes

1. a) 1 and 2
2. b) 2 and 3
3. c) 1 only
4. d) None

ANSWER: D

Mains practice question

Q1) Discuss the potential economic implications for India in the event of war or instability between Iran and Pakistan. Consider factors such as trade routes, energy resources, and economic partnerships.

Q2) Explore the impact on regional security if there is a conflict or instability between Iran and Pakistan, and its consequences for India’s security concerns. Discuss potential measures India could take to address these challenges.

Himanshu Mishra

I am a content developer and have done my Post Graduation in Political Science. I have given 2 UPSC mains, 1 IB ACIO interview and have cleared UGC NET JRF too.