Eight Pakistani nationals were brutally murdered in an execution-style attack in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province on Saturday. The victims—motor mechanics by profession—were sleeping inside a workshop in Mehrestan County, near the Pakistan-Iran border, when armed assailants broke in, identified them, tied them up, and shot them dead.
According to officials, the victims hailed from Bahawalpur district in Punjab, with six from Khanqah Sharif and two from Ahmadpur East. Among them were Dilshad and his son Danish, along with his nephews Jaffar and Nasir. Others included Naeem, Amer, Muhammad Jamshed, and Khalid.
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The attack occurred in a region already known for cross-border tensions and militant activity. Initial responsibility was claimed by the banned Balochistan National Army (BNA), while the AFP reported a competing claim by Jaish al-Adl, formerly known as Jundullah.
Families Grieve and Demand Action
In Bahawalpur, the victims’ families were plunged into mourning upon hearing of the massacre. Crowds gathered at the homes of the deceased in Khanqah Sharif and Ahmadpur East, where grief turned to anger over the lack of immediate support and information from the authorities.
The mother and widow of Khalid appealed to the Pakistani government for help. “We are very poor people. He was innocent. Bring his body home,” his widow said tearfully. The sister of Dilshad, who lost her brother and two nephews, said the family was in a state of trauma. The wedding of Naeem, one of the victims, was due to take place in the coming days.
Despite the gravity of the incident, only a local police SHO had visited one of the families by Sunday. Reliable sources said the bodies were expected to arrive at Bahawalpur Airport late Sunday night, though the government had yet to confirm official timings.
Strong Diplomatic Condemnation
Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the killings as “inhumane and cowardly” and said the embassy in Tehran and consulate in Zahedan were in constant contact with Iranian authorities. The Pakistani mission has requested consular access to verify the victims’ identities and facilitate repatriation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and urged Tehran to apprehend those responsible. “The Iranian government must bring those responsible to justice and reveal the motives behind this heinous act,” he said. He also directed the Foreign Office to remain in touch with the victims’ families and expedite the return of the remains. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also extended condolences, calling the killings “a very painful matter” and offering full support to the families.
Iran Assures Full Cooperation
Iran’s embassy in Islamabad condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan. “Terrorism is a chronic plight and a common threat throughout the region,” said a statement by Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. Both countries stressed the need for a joint strategy against terrorism and extremism, highlighting the recurring nature of such violence in the border areas.
Iran assured Pakistan of full cooperation in identifying the perpetrators and conducting a thorough investigation. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, confirmed that Iran had pledged its utmost support in resolving the case.
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This incident marks the second killing of Pakistani workers in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province in just over a year. In January 2024, nine Pakistanis were killed under similar circumstances. The region, plagued by militant activity and cross-border insurgency, has seen heightened tensions between Islamabad and Tehran, especially following tit-for-tat missile strikes earlier this year. Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which borders Sistan-Baluchestan, has also witnessed a rise in attacks targeting Punjab-based workers, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of Pakistani laborers working both domestically and abroad.