Pakistan sends remains of 9 Iranian border guards back home after 16 years as neighbors ramping up fight against terror outfits

The remains of nine border guards serving with Iran’s Law Enforcement Force have been discovered in the deserts of Pakistan after 16 years and repatriated to the country.

News ID: 5850

Date: 23 January 2025 - 23:19

TABNAK, Jan 23: Back in June 2008, the so-called Jundallah terrorist group managed to infiltrate the Shamsar border in Saravan district, Sistan and Baluchestan province, taking 13 border guards hostage.

The 13 soldiers were shot and beheaded, and their remains were buried in the scorching deserts of Pakistan. Nine bodies have now been repatriated to the country for burial.

During the time of the incident, anti-Iranian media outlets embarked on circulating horrifying images of the martyrdom of the border guards.

Jundallah was formed in 2002 in Pakistan and its base of operations is in Pakistan's Baluchestan province.

The group has conducted numerous attacks in Iran, including the 2006 murder of 22 civilians in Tasooki; the 2007 ambush on a military convoy that killed 18 officers in Zahedan; the 2008 kidnapping and execution of 16 Iranian policemen; the 2009 ambush that killed 12 policemen in Saravan; and the 2009 bombing at a mosque in Zahedan that killed 25 people. All targeted places are in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

Earlier this week, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, who visited Islamabad at the head of a high-ranking military delegation, said that coordination in border areas and swift exchange of intelligence would help the two countries conduct swift operations against terrorists.

He made the remarks as he met with Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir.

The Pakistani army chief, for his part, said that his country would take necessary and swift actions to end terrorist moves on borders, emphasizing that Tehran and Islamabad seek to broaden their understanding in all issues of common concerns.

Back in November, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also said Tehran and Islamabad are keen to enhance their cooperation in combating terrorism and ramp up their fight against terror outfits.

Araqchi made the statement after consultations with Pakistani officials regarding the movements of terrorist groups in the region at the end of his visit to the neighboring country.