Islamabad – 14 April: Pakistani workers killed in Iran have sparked widespread condemnation from both Tehran and Islamabad. The Iranian embassy in Pakistan on Sunday described the attack as “inhumane and cowardly.” A spokesman for the banned Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the assault on Saturday. Gunmen stormed a car repair workshop in Mehrestan city, tied up the workers, and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of eight Pakistani workers killed in Iran.
Iranian officials confirmed that all eight victims came from Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, condemned the killings, stressing that terrorism threatens regional security. He stated, “Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries.”
https://twitter.com/IranAmbPak/status/1911374070970535975?s=19
According to Dawn, Iranian police have launched a formal investigation as the assailants fled the scene.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dawn.com/news/amp/1903959
As noted by The Express Tribune, This attack marked the second such incident in Sistan-Baluchestan in recent months. In January 2024, gunmen killed nine Pakistanis in the province amid rising tensions along the Pakistan-Iran border.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow, calling the attack a brutal act of terrorism. He urged Tehran to arrest the perpetrators, punish them swiftly, and disclose the motive.
The Pakistani government directed its embassy in Iran and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist the victims’ families and oversee the repatriation of their bodies.
Iranian police continue investigating the incident, but the assailants managed to flee. Authorities identified five of the victims as Dilshad, his son Muhammad Naeem, Jaffar, Danish, and Nasir.
Authorities in both countries have pledged deeper cooperation to prevent such incidents. Security analysts believe improved border intelligence-sharing is essential to stop further violence targeting vulnerable migrant workers.
Disclaimer: This news update is based on verified official statements and reports.
