According to reports, the incident took place in the Iranian territory close to the Zaran border overlooking Chah Bahar, which is a common route for informal trade between the neighbouring countries.
The Pakistani nationals were travelling in a vehicle carrying cattle and heading towards Chah Bahar from the Zaran border when they were intercepted by the Iranian border guards, the Balochistan Levies confirmed.
The Iranian security personnel – without any prior warning – opened fire at the Pakistani nationals from different directions. Six people died on the spot after receiving multiple bullet wounds while the four others sustained injuries.
The security personnel took the dead and the injured to Chah Bahar where the injured were provided treatment at a state-run hospital and the bodies of the deceased were detained for identification and legal proceedings.
The identity of the dead and injured could not be established till the filing of this report.
However, according to local people, some of them were residents of Gwadar while others were identified as Pakhtuns who were illegally entering Iran in search of better jobs and economic prospects.
Sources revealed that border guards on both sides of the frontier often engage in exchange of goods.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (46)
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Pakistanis are known to be killed (or arrested) on several borders; Afghan, Indian, Iranian & Greek. Shouldn't we start doing a reality check about ourselves?
after killing so many Scientists in Iran .... they are force to do so .... every one is sold in this country ......... to different organisations ........... once Pakistan was interfering in every countries affairs now they are doing the same........... May Allah Bless Our Beloved Country............ I Just Remembered the Era of early 70's when every one was trying to celebrate 14th August and now due to this kinda situation no body can enjoy any thing ..................
Biraader Islami Mulk hai yaaro, this blood is to consolidate the Umma!
What's the big deal here. It was border time dispute. Terrain there is rugged and border areas of Balochistan are known to be safe heavens for smugglers so shooting is understandable.
@Arya what about Indian duplicity, terrorizing the people of kashmir, and killing hundreds of thousands of muslims, The vision that india sends out to the world, of a prosperous, secular, all accommodating, peace loving nation is a massive facade. Raw agents operate all over Pakistan, in conjunction with Mossad agents, to bring harm to Pakistan AND Iran. The sooner both Pak and Iran AND even Afghanistan understand this, the better.
Second time this has happened. Why doesn't the Express Tribune ever right a scathing Op-Ed against why the people aren't fuming against Iran. I think they need to examine their own hypocrisy first. Iran has meddled in Pakistan for far too long!!
Pakistan has to stop sending miscreants and terrorists inside Iran. Iran on several occasions has provided proof of terrorist camps and bases inside Pakistan. That is the difference between Pakistan and the rest of the world. In Pakistan a Chechen or Uzbek from some other part of the world can roam freely with an Ak-47 as long as it serves the state's purpose of getting Dollars but Iran is not only a country they are a nation and they are not gonna allow it.
Lets help the Americans and knock off the Nuclear stuff the iranians are working upon before they create more problems for us.Hit while the iron is hot. The Govt. there has always worked against us and have killed thousands of democratic minded iranians.
@ OG
Pakistan is not the strongest Muslim country that distinction would go to Turkey and then Iran.
Can not blame Iran without evidence, if these persons crossed border without legal documents first fault is their, Our security agencies should also try to do best not to let people crossing there. As we some bad elements in our ranks that spread violence across the border and we know that iran is ultra careful due to international pressure these days. In my opinion, no need to spread hatred unless some evidence of innocence of deceased is not establised. No need of making enemy all around your neighbourhood.
Its high time that Pakistan Army taught these thuggish iranians some lessons in ethics, by pounding their check posts with heavy artillery. Pakistanis are not expendible. These iranian hordes should better start behaving before we take them down.
Y we are blaiming iran ? it is clearly written they were illegaly trading and they were in irans territory .. Every country is not pakistan , each n every country have border laws . who can come who can go . yes the last incident in which iranis killed pakistani in paki land that was a bad news they should be jailed for crossing border n killing people
Iranians are well aware, how their Shia Brethens are treated in Pakistan, hence any given opportunity, they will do damage to Pakistan. Its a myth that there is strong relationship between these two Nations, as Iran certainly does not trust Pakistan further than they can see them !
Pakistanis do wanna-be arabs and other middle easterners. They also suffer a huge inferiority complex compared to these "non-brotherly" muslim countries. Thats why they get treated worse than slaves, and yet love working in Saudi/UAE/etc. that is why nucleur pakistan cowers at taking action against an oil rich Iran. These equations acnnot chaange till pakistan becomes self reliant. That cant happen if pakistan continues to be obesessed by a faulty forign policy and delusions of its geo-strategic grandeur.
Iranians have never ever been Pakistan's buddies......... they're truly the black sheep.... they wait for the right moment to strike and never miss the chance once its provided............ do not be mistaken over their enmity.........
Simple reaction to the three lawyers killing
Pakistani nation should strongly reprimand Iran for this outreageous act and ask for a very valid reason. Iran should stay in its limits. If we stop the barbaric drones of US, then no other country will dare such act.
Stop this smuggling .These incidents will stop.
@F K: I am all for fencing Afghanistan and Iran border.. SEAL IT.
Iran is a soon-to-be or already a Nuclear Power. Thanks to Pakistan's proliferation activities.
@maiden: because they are a back stabber nation and not our friends....
@romm: Americans aren't sending any ammunition. So, the only thing affordable these days is BLANK SHELLS.
Lets not forget that there is especially now, a huge saudi/GCC/west/zionist funded media propaganda campaign to throw sod on Iran (saudi sod, nice..) and they are trying their level best to sow sectarian discord among nations as that benefits them in many ways..so lets not jump to all sorts of conclusions about such incidents until the real truth is completely out..till then we must investigate it patiently and even if its true, not perceive it as a major blow to good relations with brotherly Iran
Well they know our wonderful Islamic law: everything is for sale. You may commit murder but according to good old sharia law you can buy your way out, because the state has no interest in prosecuting a murder.
People just love to jump to conclusions don't they?
Unfortunate that this is happening, however, Mossad has been using Jundullah and MeK to attack Iranian government targets and assassinate scientists within their country. According to the Guardian, these two organizations have even been training in Israel for operations in Iran. Pakistan should really focus on fencing the border with Afghanistan and Iran. It will be good for everyone involved.
Doesn't matter how alert and sensitive they are to Jundullah infiltrating (unfortunately a real threat operating from our soil), it was wrong and the government must protest and hold those guards accountable. Also secure the border on Pak's side, as it's the 3rd time it's happened.
Even if they were smugglers bringing in illegal immigrants, their clients were innocent folks looking for work whose only crime was that they were desperate to risk it for a better life.
The same way it was wrong and condemn-able that our Pakistani security guys shot up that Chechen family, so was this by the Iran's guards.
Just hope the anti-Iran/anti-Shia bigoted extremists don't use this as pre-text for violent terrorism against Pakistani Shia Muslim minority in Balochistan or elsewhere as twisted 'revenge'.
@James. So Iranians ambush Pakistani's and you blame the USA and Israel? I think your bias is showing.
First of all I totally disagree with informal trade practices to prevent further killing. Allies or no allies, there are always people who may not like being in union with another country despite government having fair enough terms. Pakistan is weak at its borders, on the eastern side since its India, Pakistan is eager to stand tall but on western and south-western, I must confess, poor arrangements.This is why we are enduring years of torment.
Iran manages its borders very carefully. Unlike pak, they don't tolerate the klashnikov drug culture. Good for them. They help solve our problem too. This is a criminal matter not a national issue.
Indians, take a hike.
Pakistan is the strongest Muslim country (military wise) and yet we act like such pussys! we're look down upon in the Muslim world and for that we have only ourselves to blame. This incident however is quite sad. Pakistani government or the army should investigate this and put a stop to the killings of our citizens by the hands of Iranian border guards.
If we could do the same at Afghanistan Border, Pakistan would be a better place today.
it is coopraition between pakistan and iran against baloch from long time sens they occupied our mathar land balochistan,now we dont have country we are without country thats why they dont care for baloch killing ,baloch blood is easy , god helpe baloch for freedom.
I say it is tit for tat. Iran and Afghanistan are both tired of Pakistani duplicity.
When it comes to drugs Saudi and Iranians are very tough.
@Pakistan > Iran: first of all we should condemn any loss of life, however you come across as arm-chair Pakistani expert, today an average Balochi will be not call himself a Pakistani period.
Pakistan should respond with Heavy Artillery.
I Will not blame Iran for this incident as after murder of atomic scientist they became more sensitive. From previous experience it is learnt that Pakistanis are more prone to be purchased and used for terrorism activities in and out of country. Nowadays us and Israel are busy in damaging Iran nuclear program.
Also yesterday's killings also hurt not only Pakistanis but also Iranian too.
May Allah bless we all, Iranians are also our brothers.
Jeay Pakistan and Iran. Islam zindabad
Screw you Iran. This is the fourth time this happened, and right after we retuned the previous border guards to you.
Iran has a grudge against Balochis.
So much for Iranians being your best buddies -- appears they were waiting an ambushed these Pakistani's.
i think we do the same thing when any iranian do the same thing in PAKISATN BORDER.
Had it been US/ NATO, entire media would had gone bizurk. Hypocrisy of Pakistanis
More dollars in terms of Qisas coming soon.