QUETTA: Iran today sealed its border point with Pakistan amid unrest and a crackdown on protesters in Zahedan.
An official of FIA said the border crossing in Taftan, about 90 km from Zahedan, was sealed off by Iranian authorities.
“They are not allowing departure movement from Pakistan into Iran,” he said requesting anonymity.
“On Saturday, Iran allowed 780 people, including foreigners who wanted to cross into Pakistan. However, on Sunday Iranian authorities completely halted all kinds of trade and pedestrian movement.”
Fresh riots broke out in the capital of the Iranian Sistan and Balochistan province during Friday prayers and the worshipers in the city’s Makki Mosque announced a protest over the rape of a 15-year-old girl by a local military commander.
Ali Mousavi, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps provincial intelligence chief was shot dead during the clashes on Friday.
Jaish Al-Adl militant group claimed the responsibility saying it is fighting for the independence of Sistan and Balochistan.
Sardarzada Umair Muhammad Hassani, former adviser to the chief minister of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, said the border closure would affect Iran itself, as food supplies to Iran pass through Pakistan.
“The border closure decision by Iranian forces wasn’t fair in the better interest of Iran,” he told Arab News, adding that he had backtracked on his earlier opinion that Pakistani-Iranian ties should be enhanced, as the killings in Zahedan have affected the Baloch community on the Pakistani side.
“Baloch tribes have been living on both sides of the border,” Hassani said. “The recent brutality toward the people of Zahedan by the Iranian forces has hurt the sentiments and emotions of the Baloch.”
Footage emerging from the city showed people carrying dead and wounded protesters amid heavy gunfire. The administration of Sistan and Balochistan said 19 people have been killed in the clashes, but journalists in the province and activists estimate the number of deaths to be at least 50, as clashes continue.
