‘Won’t let enemies damage brotherly ties’ — Iran condemns attack that left nine Pakistanis dead

This comes weeks after the countries carried out airstrikes against each other. Unidentified gunmen launched attack in Saravan Saturday, no one has claimed responsibility for it yet.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani | Photo: Commons

New Delhi: Iran has condemned an armed attack in its city of Saravan that killed nine Pakistanis, a day after Islamabad called it a “heinous crime” and urged Tehran to bring the perpetrators to justice. This comes weeks after Iran and Pakistan carried out airstrikes on each other’s soil, with both claiming they were targeting terrorists.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani issued a statement saying he “strongly condemned” the attack that took place in Sistan and Baluchestan province, close to the border with Pakistan.

Unidentified gunmen launched the attack in Saravan Saturday. No groups or individuals have yet claimed responsibility for it, according to a report by Iranian semi-official news agency Mehr News Agency.

“(Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser) Kanaani extended his sympathies to the Pakistani government and the families of the victims. The Foreign Ministry spokesman further noted that the responsible bodies have launched an investigation into the attack, adding that Iran and Pakistan will not let the enemies damage brotherly relations between the two nations,” read the statement from the Iranian ministry.

Earlier this month, relations between the two countries hit rocky ground after Iran conducted missile and drone strikes on Balochistan province in Pakistan, which it claims was directed at a terror hideout of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl.

Pakistan’s authorities said the strike resulted in civilian casualties and the government warned of retaliation. Islamabad also recalled its ambassador from Iran.

Two days later, Pakistan conducted military strikes on what it termed were separatist hideouts in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.

This is the same province in which Saturday’s attack took place.

‘Cowardly attack’

Unlike Tehran, however, Islamabad has termed Saturday’s strike a “terror attack”.

Pakistan’s Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said in a statement on X that it was an attempt by “common enemies” to “spoil relations” between the two neighbouring countries.

Saddened over the death of Pakistanis in Iran in a terrorist attack.This heinous attack is an attempt to spoil relations between Pakistan and Iran by our common enemies. While offering condolences to the families of victims, urge the Iranian govt for action. @Amirabdolahian

— Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) January 27, 2024

A day prior, the Pakistan foreign ministry said its consul general in Zahedan city had visited the hospital where the injured were being treated and would meet the local authorities to convey the need for “strong action” to be taken against the perpetrators.

Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran will also do its best in repatriating the dead bodies, the ministry said, adding that “such cowardly attacks cannot deter Pakistan from its determination to fight terrorism”.

(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)