ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Saturday that it is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding the “horrifying and despicable” killing of nine Pakistani nationals by unidentified gunmen in the Sirkan neighborhood of Saravan city.
An Iranian news agency reported that unknown armed men killed nine non-Iranians in a house in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, and so far, no group or individuals have claimed responsibility.
Among the victims, five were reported to be from various areas of Alipur in Punjab province and had been working in Iran for the past decade. The FO spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, issued a statement condemning the incident unequivocally and expressing Pakistan’s commitment to taking all necessary measures.
The consul in Zahedan is en route to the hospital where the injured individuals are being treated and is expected to arrive in a few hours. During the visit, the consul will meet with local authorities and emphasize the urgent need for strong action against the perpetrators.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s awareness of the gravity of the situation and reiterated the country’s determination to fight terrorism despite such cowardly attacks. The embassy is actively working on expeditiously repatriating the deceased.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran condemned the “horrifying killings” and called upon Iran to extend full cooperation with Pakistani authorities. The ambassador expressed deep shock over the incident and announced that the embassy would provide full support to the bereaved families.
The incident occurred a day after the arrival of the Pakistani Ambassador in Tehran and his Iranian counterpart in Islamabad, signaling the full restoration of diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries after recent cross-border attacks.
