9 Pakistanis killed in border town of Iran escalating tension between 2 nations

New Delhi, Jan 27: Following the recent restoration of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iran, 9 Pakistani citizens were killed and three others injured in a shooting incident near Iran's border on Saturday.

The victims, identified as Pakistani labourers, were in the Sirkan area of Saravan city, Iran, when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen. The Mehr News Agency of Iran reported that these individuals were residing and working in an auto repair shop.

No organization or individual has yet taken responsibility for this violence. Haalvash, a Baluch rights group, identified the victims as Pakistani labourers and voiced their concerns on their website.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, responded with a strong condemnation of the attack. She called for an investigation and for the Iranian authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran, Muddasir Tipu, expressed his shock over the event. He stated that the embassy is collaborating with Iranian officials and that the consul is en route to both the scene of the incident and the hospital treating the injured.

This violent episode occurred just one day after Pakistani Ambassador Tipu arrived in Tehran, marking the renewal of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is expected to visit Pakistan soon, invited by his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The incident highlights the fragile nature of relations between the two nations, especially along their shared border. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, particularly in the wake of recent hostilities that included Iranian attacks on terrorist bases in Pakistan and retaliatory strikes by Pakistan in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. The recent events underscore the complexities and challenges in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.