Meet Jaish al-Adl: The Sunni Group Iran Targeted in Pakistan

Iran’s recent airstrike on a suspected illegal separatist group in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province has strained the relationship between the two countries and heightened regional tensions, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the strike, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Iran on Wednesday. Both nations seem cautious about escalating the situation further. Given Pakistan’s economic constraints, a military retaliation seems unlikely since its missile defenses are primarily focused on the eastern border against potential threats from India.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani conveyed concerns to his Iranian counterpart about the potential impact of such unilateral actions on regional peace and stability, as per a statement from Islamabad’s Foreign Ministry.

Jaish al-Adl, the group targeted in the Iranian airstrike, emerged in 2012, predominantly from members of the weakened Sunni militant group Jundullah. Seeking independence for Iran’s eastern Sistan and Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan provinces, Jaish al-Adl is a common adversary for both Iran and Pakistan.

Based in the ethnic Baluch community, the group operates across the Iran-Pakistan border. Pakistan acknowledges the possibility of some militants hiding in Baluchistan’s remote areas but denies any organized presence of Jaish al-Adl in the province. The region, Pakistan’s largest by area, faces an ongoing insurgency with separatists demanding a fairer distribution of resources and wealth.

The activities of Jaish al-Adl have been a source of contention between Iran and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of overlooking militant activities. The group often attacks Iranian security forces near the Pakistani border and then retreats back into Pakistan. In response, Pakistan has taken measures to secure the border and apprehend some members of Jaish al-Adl, who are responsible for attacks in Iran. Despite these efforts, Baluch separatists continue to target Pakistani security forces, with Pakistan alleging Iranian support for these groups.