Five Iranian border guards had been kidnapped and allegedly taken to Pakistan by militants. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Iran said on Monday it would send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards believed to have been kidnapped by militants if Islamabad did not take measures to secure their release.
According to Iranian media reports, the guards were seized on Feb 6 in the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchistan by militants who allegedly took them across the border to Pakistan.
“If Pakistan doesn’t take the needed steps to fight against the terrorist groups, we will send our forces onto Pakistani soil. We will not wait for this country,” Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli was quoted as telling the semi-official Mehr news agency.
An Iranian insurgent group calling itself Jaish al Adl had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, according to a Twitter account purporting to belong to the group. The account’s authenticity could not be immediately verified.
The area where the kidnappings took place has a history of unrest, with the mainly Sunni population complaining of discrimination by Iranian authorities, a charge Iran denies. Iranian security forces have also fought drug traffickers in the region that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Iranian armed forces’ deputy chief of staff was quoted as telling the semi-official Fars news agency that Iran would “show tough confrontation in this case”.
“We will have no soft stand in this case and our neighbouring country ... should account for its lack of action,” Major General Hossein Hassani Sa’di told reporters in Tehran on Monday, according to Fars English language website.
Sa’di said the guards were still alive, and underlined that “political and military measures are under way to set them free”, without elaborating.
Interior Minister Rahmani-Fazli said an Iranian delegation would visit Pakistan on Monday to secure the guards’ release, state news agency ISNA reported.
In October, 14 Iranian border guards were killed and three others captured in the same area in an attack that ISNA said was carried out by Jaish al-Adl.
Jundollah militant group, which Iran says is linked to al Qaeda, has claimed a number of attacks and kidnappings since 2003, including a 2010 suicide bombing that killed dozens of people at a mosque.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2014.
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@Saleem: Do you expect them to sit and see their soldiers killed by terrorists?!
It is very interesting for me, as an Iranian citizen, the literature used in this article to report this kidnapping. "alleged" "according to iranian medias" "the area where it took place" (implying a justification of this attack) plus the careful avoidance of using the word "terrorism" or "terrorist group" or "terrorist act"??!!!, compared to a scenario where the abducted would be from any other country, especially western ones. From the comments, it seems that our pakistani friends are just concerned about the iranian retort. but this fact is overlooked that iranian sovereignty has been violated, since the guards have been kidnapped from inside the iranian territory. I do not believe that our army in any way, would try to start a war with Pakistan, but am very concerned in the lack of action by the Pakistani army, who seems to let terrorist islamist groups do whatever they want to pakistani citizens and now violating iranian sovereignty. I urge any and everyone to take this matter seriously and take action to liberate these young soldiers and relieve their pitiful families on this joyful occasion of Iranian new year (norouz)
First of all , Iran should learn that we are having a hard time fighting terrorism on our own soil.Secondly to all the people who think that Pakistan is a "breeding ground for demons" please don't forget that these demons were angels for everybody while they were fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan and when it ended , Pakistan was left helpless to deal with the Frankenstein created by US and Israel
To this threat from Pakistan's second Master (after KSA), Pakistan begged for clemency. And claimed that 90% of Pakis are "originally" of Iranian ancestry.
We welcome Iran to take action against the terrorists who are responsible for killing of innocents in both countries. TO PAKISTANIS: this is not attack against Pakistan but this will help Pakistan let them fight the terrorists since we cannot.
Interesting rather amusing that some people here think Pakistan will fare better if a confrontation happens with Iran... Iran has oil children you don't and it sits right on Persian gulf as well from where it can strangle your oil supply. i guess you people have forgotten when the first gulf war happened Petrol Diesel wasn't available and prices went through the roof. Patriotism wont matter much when you wont be able to drive your tanks to fight now will you? plus FC troops got butchered no one did anything, a major martyred and nothing....we pay 70% of the budget to the army... if they are not here to secure the country from external and internal threats then why are we paying taxes to fill their coffers? if our security forces don't care about the lives of their men doesn't mean other countries would do the same
Aik aur Syappa!
Pakistan doesn't even take actions against the killings of its own, like it's going to bother with this situation. I sympathize but I strongly condemn the "We will send your troops into Pakistan" statement as it would be considered an open act of war.
@pakistani: from defence.pk ? he he he
A war between two "nuclear powers"? Scary!!
Pakistan has a 1000 year history of surrendering to invaders and converting to that culture. So Iran can drop in anytime.
Pakistan and Iran need to cooperate to get Kashmir
Iran is bullying yet another Sunni country with threats. First Afghanistan and Iraq, then Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, now Pakistan. I'm glad Iran is showing its true colors to the Muslim world. Pakistani army will kill any foreign soldiers who set boots into Pakistan, regardless of which country it is. India-Iran scheming against Afghans and Pakistan must end.
If Iran wishes to resolve the situation diplomatically, it is more than able. Threats will only turn the already upset 50 Sunni countries against Iran further. Poor situation to ally with Hindus against Muslim.
Most of the Pakistani names have Persian origin. Pakistan's national language, Urdu, is heavily embedded with Farsi words. All the celebrated heroes from history in Pakistan come from Persian / Aghani culture. Even form of art such as Shayaris and Qawalis have Persian origin. Pakistan should feel eternally indebted to Iran. So it sounds very unfortunate when some Pakistanis comment against Iran.
Pakistan is FULL of traitors already
@Muhammad: so trueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
why not do a joint operation? That solves the problem on both ends. Iran gets its soldiers back and we get rid of terrorists and get to stay on friendly terms.
Gareeb Kee Joru .... Sabki Bhabhi. (Poor man's wife ... every body's sister-in-law) ..... :-))
@Mirza: Iran does not like Pakistan's stance on Syrian issue where innocent are being mascared by the Iran sponsored regim.
Iran tou aa tey sahe fir dekhian!!
@Ali Zaid go and live in Iran, no room for traitors in Pakistan
When the world calls us the bedrock of terrorism..........they are not wrong. Pakistan must first and foremost have excellent relations with all bordering countries. Everybody else is second. The Iranian border guards must be returned ASAP because Iran has always been our friend. Unfortunately, the mullah inspired policies that have brought Pakistan to this MESS. Salams
@Anoni: They have new freindship with America after a long rivalry,so anything can be expected in this world.
Dont undermind Pakistan's security capability, despite internal worst crisis we know how to reply invaders.
Love you Iran. Please eliminate terror threats to Iran & Pakistan by sending your troops here. Our coward political & military leadership has sold our souls, land and resources to Saudi-US-Israeli evil nexus and they are unable to protect us. Pakistan is in ICU due to our worthless and incompetent leaders.
@Ashraf P Pakistanis so loosely talks about nuclear weapons as if they are toys. Over 50,000+ killed and not one has been used. Grow up boys.
Whose next?
Soon it will be China seeking to capture their wanted men from Pakistan. PML N and GHQ want to make the whole Pakistan similar to FATA where criminals find safe heavens.
Yeah? Don't forget that Pakistan has nukes !!
So Sad ...
I didn't expect such statement from an Iranian Minister. Instead of being more forceful with voice. they threaten to invade. Not a good idea .. not at all.
If they move in what will they accomplish. ? instead would be label as aggressor by western media . More securtiny will be placed on their behavior approach and nuclear ambition..
In all just a stupid statement .. hopefully not followed by miscalculated adventure.
For the Pakistani side .. they have nothing to lose as they are not involved. but it would surely help getting the guard release.
In all this could have been handled better.
Pakistan should make sure that Iranian troops should not go back, atleast not in one piece
kabi aoo na khusbo laga kar
After all these years Iran has not learned any lesson. It needs to realize it can push the world by my way or highway kind of attitude. It is still trying to recover from its stubbornes against West and now it is trying to threaten its neighbor, Pakistan. Is it trying to prove that no one should neither trust nor rely on Iran?
Paksistan must return the officials of Iranian Coastal Guards safely at earliest to Iran as we can not afford enmity with all neighboring countries. We must prove ourselves as good neighbors rather than bad neighbors. We must have friendly relations with all neighbors so that we can grow economically, socially, politically with full potential.
Pakistan can not afford enmity and bad relations with all neighboring countries and therefore must return the officials of Iranian Coastal guards kidnapped by terrorists at earliest otherwise it will be a negative development about Pakistan- Iran relations. We must promote the Policy of harmony and friendship with all neighbors and prove ourselves as a good neighbor rather a bad neighbor.
Or it could be a tactic by the Iranians to divert American attention from itself to Pakistan, the Vultures are flying above, the great and Dark Godess Kali is in action.For she is of black and tawny hue, everything dissolves..even Pakistan.Jazakallah Khair Pakistan.
Brave Iran and Brave Afghanistan have all been ancient nations, but Pakistan is not.Hence natural order will reign supreme - soon.IE. Iran will annex Balochistan and make it a part of the extended Sistan Balochistan front, while the TTP has come to extend the Durrand land and claim Pakthunkhwa.
Pakistan is not Iraq,so be careful.Dont take easy Pakistan's internal crisis,after all Talibans are part of Pakistan.No adevanture....
When global Jihadist can come and become a part of TTP and deal with out govt on equal terms then why not Iranian state actors? We are famous for nurturing non-state actors to wage jihad and create mayhem in neighboring countries then Iran has every right to protect its citizens. We may not care about bombing and beheading of our citizens and soldiers but other countries do.
Is this because Pakistan has changed her stance on Syria? Iran is vocal and sound frustrated??
Iran, please! That will be your suicide--I can guarantee--and most Pakistanis will even begin supporting a US led attack on Iran and having Israel USA Pakistan and the Arab gulf nations against you will lead to the demise of your Islamic regime.
How can our muslim brothers do this? Where is the muslim ullema?
Now everyone is looking for strategic depth inside Pakistan.
Exactly right!!! If we are cowards, others are not. We have succumbed to the dark, neanderthal and evil forces. Don't expect others to be similarly timid.
Clearly Iran has more courage than India i am sorry to say - and i say this as an Indian. All that Manmohan Singh keeps on doing is talk about talks even as Pakistan adamantly refuses to do anything to dismantle the LeT terror camps or hold those responsible for 26/11 to account.
Can Pakistan handle war on three fronts India, Iran and Afghanistan? The foreign currency reserve is not enough to fight war on any one front for one day.
Pakistan just does not learn. If you breed demons, they will turn on you.
Can't blame Iran. A state that cannot control its own territory has to face the consequences.
Maybe you can get the American's to defend you? It would appear that your nukes aren't intimidating anyone.
Dear Iran, Pakistan cannot even free its own troops held hostage inside Pakistan like the FC troops executed by TTP.
welcome to Pakistan
Tell them that we only negotiate with terrorists!