Iran optimistic about freedom of abducted guards

A senior Iranian official has expressed optimism over the release of five Iranian border guards who have been abducted and taken to Pakistan.

Hassan Qashqavi, Iran deputy foreign minister for consular, parliamentary and Iranian expatriates affairs, said on Friday that necessary consultations for the release of the abducted Iranian border guards are underway.

The Iranian official also stated that the results of the consultations will not be publicized until the issue is finalized.

“We hope that the incident will result in the freedom of our loved ones as it was the case in previous incidents,” Qashqavi added.

Five Iranian border guards were abducted in Jakigour region in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province on February 6 and taken to the Pakistani territory.

Jaish-ul-Adl terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

On February 12, Iran Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Ali Abdollahi said the Islamic Republic will dispatch a delegation to Pakistan to pursue the case of the five border guards.

Following the incident, Iran Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran Noor Mohammad Jadmani in protest to the issue.

On October 25, 2013, Jaish-ul-Adl killed 14 Iranian border guards and wounded six others in the border region near the city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan.

In February 2013, Iran and Pakistan signed a security agreement, under which both countries are required to cooperate in preventing and combating organized crime, fighting terrorism and countering the activities that pose a threat to the national security of either country.

Iran has repeatedly called on Pakistan to commit to the terms of the agreement.