Iran delegation in Pakistan to free abducted guards

An Iranian delegation is in Pakistan to negotiate the release of five Iranian border guards abducted by Jaish-ul-Adl terrorist group, an Iranian official says.

Ali Abdollahi, the Iranian deputy interior minister for security and law enforcement affairs, said on Friday that the delegation headed to Pakistan’s Balochistan Province on February 19.

Abdollahi declined to provide more details, adding that further information will be released in due time.

A video first broadcast by Saudi Arabia’s al-Arabiya TV channel and then posted online on February 16 showed the five abducted Iranian guards in good health.

The five Iranian guards were kidnapped by Jaish-ul-Adl terrorists in Jakigour region in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan on February 6 and taken to the Pakistani territory.

The Islamic Republic has asked Interpol to prosecute those behind the abduction.

Meanwhile, Iranian and international activists have launched a campaign known as “Free Iranian Soldiers” on social media websites, calling for the release of five Iranian border guards.

On February 15, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli held Pakistan accountable for the kidnapping.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani has called for an investigation into the incident, tasking the Foreign Ministry with taking the necessary measures to implement a border security agreement with Pakistan.

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 comply with the terms of the agreement.