Killing of eight nationals in Iran: Pakistan seeks comprehensive probe, swift justice

By Ameen Abbasi

ISLAMABAD/BAHAWALPUR/LONDON: The foreign ministry Sunday said the Pakistani embassy in Tehran and consulate in Zahidan were in constant touch with the Iranian authorities for a comprehensive investigation into the killing of eight Pakistanis and to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

Eight Pakistani nationals were tragically killed on Saturday in Mehrestan County of Sistan-Balochistan province, located approximately 230 kilometers from the Pak-Iran border.

“Our Mission has already requested consular access to verify the identities of the deceased. The leadership and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened and perturbed over the tragic incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his deep condolences for the bereaved families.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the inhumane and cowardly killing of its nationals in Iran. We hope for Iranian side’s full cooperation in investigating the matter and timely repatriation of the victims’ remains,” the statement said.

Further updates will be provided as soon as additional details about the identification of dead bodies and the circumstances leading to their tragic death become available.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemned the inhumane and cowardly armed incident against eight Pakistani nationals.

A statement said terrorism was a chronic plight and a common threat throughout the region by which the traitorous elements, in collaboration with international terrorists, target security and stability throughout the region.

“Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries to eradicate all forms of terrorism and extremism that have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in recent decades,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed profound grief over the killing of eight Pakistanis and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Shehbaz emphasized the threat that terrorism posed to the regional stability and advocated a unified strategy to combat such threats.

He urged the Iranian authorities to apprehend the perpetrators swiftly.

He also directed the foreign ministry to engage with the victims’ families and arrange the repatriation of bodies.

Ameen Abbasi from Bahawalpur adds: The atmosphere in Bahawalpur was filled with mourning and grief when the heart-wrenching news of the brutal massacre of eight innocent motor mechanics in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province was broadcast by the mainstream media.

The victims were from Khanqah Sharif, a suburban town of Bahawalpur, where their families began wailing upon hearing about the tragic incident.

According to sources close to the victims’ families, they were living without residential visas and working in the motor workshops.

The armed terrorists broke into the workshop where they were sleeping, woke and identified them, and then shot them dead.

The victims included Dilshad, his son Danish, and his two nephews, Jaffar and Nasir, all from Khanqah Sharif. The other victims were Amer and Naeem from Khanqah Sharif, and Muhammad Jamshaid and Khalid from Ahmadpur East.

The family members said the victims frequently traveled between Pakistan and Iran.

The devastated families urgently demanded swift repatriation of the bodies of their loved ones.

People gathered at their homes to offer condolences and express sympathy. However, no representative from the district administration visited to console the families or provide accurate information about the repatriation of the bodies. In the aftermath of the tragedy, only a local police station’s SHO visited one victim’s family to confirm the massacre.

This correspondent has learned from reliable sources that the bodies may arrive at the Bahawalpur Airport late Sunday night.

A spokesman for the Balochistan National Army (BNA), a banned outfit, claimed responsibility for the incident through a statement issued to the media. However, AFP reported that militant group Jaish al-Adl also claimed responsibility for the attack.