pakistan-calls-for-justice-after-8-nationals-killed-in-iran

Pakistan has called on Iran to assist in investigating the execution-style killing of eight Pakistani nationals in Sistan-Baluchistan, allegedly carried out by terrorists.

 

The victims, who worked as motor mechanics in Mehrestan County, about 230km from the Pakistan-Iran border, were tied up and shot dead in broad daylight on April 13.

 

Among those killed were a father and son, Dilshad and Danish, and four other members of the same family. The victims were from small towns in the Bahawalpur district of south Punjab, including Khanqah Sharif and Ahmedpur East.

 

In response, the Iranian embassy in Islamabad expressed profound sorrow over the incident and pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation. The bodies of the victims have been sent back to their native towns, where mourners gathered to comfort the grieving families.

 

The Pakistan government has urged the Iranian authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice. Prime Minister of Pakistan, in a statement, demanded that Iran swiftly arrest those responsible and mete out exemplary punishment. He also called for an investigation into the motives behind the killings.

 

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, confirmed that both countries were working together to bring the perpetrators to justice. "Iran has assured us of its utmost cooperation," Tipu stated on social media platform X.

 

Iranian officials echoed the sentiment, with Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Moghadam, stressing the need for international collaboration to combat terrorism.

 

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the killings, while Jaish al-Adl, formerly known as Jundullah, also issued a statement taking responsibility. Both groups are active in the region, which has seen an uptick in violence. The deteriorating security situation in Pakistan's northern frontier districts, exacerbated by cross-border terrorism, remains a significant concern for both the Pakistani and Iranian governments.

 

The open border between Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan has been a complicating factor in tackling cross-border terrorism. Despite the challenges, both nations have vowed to strengthen their counterterrorism efforts in the region.