Even as efforts are underway to mend ties between Iran and Pakistan after tit-for-tat strikes, Islamabad’s envoy and local media in Iran reported that an unidentified gunmen killed nine Pakistani workers in the restive southeastern border area of Iran, news agency Reuters reported. Pakistani ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, said on the X, “We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter.”
Iran media said the police were looking for three gunmen who escapted after the shooting. Baluch rights group Haalvash said on its website that the victims were Pakistani labourers who lived at an auto repair shop where they worked. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Saravan in Sistan-Baluchestan province.
“It is a horrifying and despicable incident and we condemn it unequivocally,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, adding, “We are in touch with Iranian authorities and have underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved.” The incident occurred ahead of a planned visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to Pakistan on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned the shootings and said, “Iran and Pakistan won’t allow enemies to damage the brotherly ties between the two countries.”
This comes as the Pakistani and Iranian ambassadors were returning to their postings after being recalled after their counter attacks last week aimed at what both said were militant targets.
“The Iran-Pakistan border creates an opportunity for economic exchanges… and must be protected against any insecurity,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said as reported by state media.
The Sistan-Baluchestan region has been witnessing sporadic clashes between security forces and separatist militants and smugglers carrying opium from Afghanistan. Also, Iran with some of the lowest fuel prices globally has become a centre of fuel smuggling to Pakistan and Afghanistan despite the crackdown.
