News
Friday, January 27, 2012
Iranian border forces kill 6 Pakistanis, 4 others injured* Pakistanis intercepted, fired at while heading towards Chabahar from Zaran border
By Muhammad Zafar
QUETTA: Six Pakistani nationals were killed and four others injured when Iranian border security guards opened indiscriminate fire on them without prior warning, in the Iranian territory close to Zaran border overlooking Chabahar – a normal route for local people, including fishermen, for informal trade across the border.
Reports from across the border claimed that the Pakistanis were travelling in a vehicle and heading towards Chabahar from Zaran border, when they were intercepted by Iranian border security guards. The Iranian guards encircled the vehicle and opened fire from all sides, killing six of the Pakistanis on the spot and injuring four others.
Reports from across the border stated that the Iranian security personnel took the dead and injured to Chabahar where the injured were provided treatment at the only government-run hospital, while the bodies were sent for autopsy and legal proceedings.
Identities of the dead and injured could not be ascertained until filing of this report. However, locals claimed that some of the dead were Baloch residents of Gwadar district, while others could be Pakhtuns, who were being smuggled into Iran for better job opportunities.
It is pertinent to mention here that residents of border regions usually exchange goods, including cattle, to meet the demand for beef and mutton in Iranian Balochistan.
In recent weeks, Iranians have become more sensitive about border security after it was tightened during naval exercises in the region. Last month, a number of Pakistani fishing boats along with fishermen were captured close to Pakistani territorial waters near Chabahar. A number of fishermen were killed, as Iranian coast guards opened direct fire on some of the fishing vessels from the Pakistani side without any prior warning.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk