Eight Pakistani nationals were brutally murdered in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province after unidentified assailants stormed a local workshop overnight.
Security sources reported that the victims were bound before being shot dead, describing the killings as a deliberate terrorist act rather than an isolated incident.
Officials allege that banned Baloch militant groups, reportedly operating from within Iran, were responsible for the attack. The incident has reignited concerns over Iran’s inability to curb terrorist networks on its soil.
This is not the first such tragedy in the region. A similar attack took place in January last year when Pakistani laborers were also targeted. In response, Pakistan had carried out cross-border strikes in the same province under Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar, aimed at eliminating separatist threats.
The recent victims were identified as mechanics working at a local workshop in the village of Hazabad in Mehrstan district. Among the deceased were Dilshad, the owner of the workshop, his son Naeem, and three others – Jafar, Danish, and Nasir – all hailing from Punjab.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the victims’ families. He emphasized the devastating impact of terrorism across the region and stressed the need for a coordinated regional approach to combat it.
He urged Iranian authorities to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible and to disclose the motives behind the killings. The prime minister also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure communication with the victims’ families and facilitate the repatriation of their remains.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act targeting regional peace.
“Terrorism continues to plague the region and remains a shared threat to all,” said an embassy spokesperson, adding that elements aligned with global terrorist networks are seeking to destabilize the region. The statement stressed the importance of joint efforts to eliminate terrorism from the area.
