2024-04-04 20:38:17
Unknown gunmen attacked and killed nine Pakistani workers in Iran’s volatile southeastern border region on Saturday. The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by both countries to mend relations after the latest “eye for an eye” attacks.
Expressing his deep shock, Pakistan’s ambassador to Tehran, Mohammad Mudassir Tipu, said on the x platform: “I am deeply shocked by the horrific killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. The embassy will provide full support to the families of the victims. We called on Iran to fully cooperate in this matter.” Iranian state media reported that police were actively searching for the three militants who managed to escape after the shooting.
According to the Baloch human rights group Haalwash, the victims were Pakistani workers living in the car repair shop where they worked, and three others were injured. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident in Sarawan, located in Sistan Balochistan province.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the attack, calling it a “horrific and disrespectful incident”. He added: “We are in contact with the Iranian authorities and have emphasized the importance of an immediate investigation into the incident and bringing those involved to justice.”
The shooting happened shortly before Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahia’s planned visit to Pakistan on Monday. The visit followed a recent exchange of missile strikes between the two countries that led to the recall of ambassadors. However, both ambassadors returned to their posts as diplomatic relations tried to normalize.
President Ibrahim Raisi stressed the importance of protecting the Iran-Pakistan border from any security threat while accepting the credentials of Ambassador Mudassir Tipu on Saturday. State media said that Raisi emphasized the economic potential of exchanges between the two countries.
Sistan Baluchistan, an impoverished region, has been marred by sporadic clashes between security forces and separatist militants and opium-related smuggling activities from Afghanistan, the world’s leading producer of the drug.
Despite crackdowns by Iranian border guards, there has also been an increase in fuel smuggling to Pakistan and Afghanistan in the region due to significantly lower fuel prices in Iran. The incident highlights the ongoing problems in the region and the importance of strengthening security measures.
Turan