Pakistan revealed plans to airlift the bodies of nine nationals, tragically shot dead in Iran last week, from the Taftan border to Multan today. The Foreign Office (FO) expressed profound condolences, stating, “May Allah grant them the highest abodes in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones.”
The incident, which occurred on January 27, involved unidentified gunmen targeting nine Pakistani nationals in southeastern Iran near the Pakistani border, as reported by the semi-official Mehr news agency. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the shootings.
According to the Baloch rights group Haalvash, the victims were Pakistani laborers residing and working at an auto repair shop, with three others sustaining injuries during the attack.
The tragic event unfolded amid a backdrop of diplomatic maneuvers, as Iranian state media announced the return of the Pakistani and Iranian ambassadors to their respective postings following recent missile strikes exchanged between the neighboring countries, purportedly targeting militant elements.
The Iranian envoy to Pakistan condemned the killings, affirming Tehran and Islamabad’s commitment to safeguarding their bilateral relations. “Iran and Pakistan will not allow enemies to cause damage to the countries’ brotherly relations,” stated the Iranian envoy, emphasizing the shared resolve to preserve diplomatic ties amidst such challenges.
