Iran actively pursuing diplomatic channel on border guards issue

On October 16, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said terrorists had kidnapped the Iranian forces, including local Basij volunteer forces and border guards, near the town of Mirjaveh on the Pakistani border.

Iran is facing the situation arising after border guards’ abduction very wisely and is working closely with Pakistan to recover security officials safely.

Soon after the incident Pakistan Foreign Ministry in a statement said, 'No effort will be spared to assist our Iranian brothers in finding the Iranian guards.'

“Both militaries, under a joint mechanism established since last year, are working to ascertain the location of Iranian guards. Director General Military Operations (DGMO) from two sides are coordinating actions in this regard,” it said.

Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Mehdi Honardoost visited officials and urged Pakistan government to release Iranian border guards and to act firmly against outlaws and takfiri terrorists.

Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif in a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart also called for urgent measures by the Pakistani government to ensure the safety and health of the kidnapped border guards and to identify and arrest the elements of the terrorist incident, in accordance with the previous understandings and dialogues.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, with the extreme condemnation of this anti-human terrorist group and deeply regretted the incident, said, “All Pakistan facilities serve the necessary steps to find and arrest the elements of the incident and freedom and security of Iranian border guards.”

Jaish al-Adl terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the act.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli in a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Shehryar Afridi had called for undertaking security commitments in the face of terrorist mobs and doing all in power in line with releasing kidnapped Iranian border guards.

In another major development Commander of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour visited Pakistan to discuss border guards incident with Pakistani officials.

Before visiting Pakistan Major General Mohammad Baqeri had also spoken to Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa asking Pakistan for taking prompt action to arrest kidnappers of Iranian border guards.

Even during his visit he met with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and other high-ranking security officials of the country.

Improved border security, better border cooperation and increase in number of troops inside Pakistani territory came under discussion during his meeting with Pakistan Army Chief.

Talking to IRNA Major General Mohammad Baqeri warned that the US and some other countries are trying to create instability on Iran-Pak border to create misunderstandings between two friendly neighbors.

“We have informed our Pakistani brothers that we should remain vigilant from these third parties,” he said.

Later Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman had again called on the Pakistani government to take necessary action on releasing Iranian border guards.

He expressed hope for the consultations and cooperation between Iran and Pakistan to have satisfying results since all sectors in Iran are trying to bring back kidnapped soldiers.

He said Pakistan's envoy to Tehran Riffat Masood was also invited to foreign ministry to discuss the matter.

Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost had met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to discuss the fate of abducted Iranian border guards.

Meanwhile in latest development Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif visited Islamabad and held important meetings with top Pakistani civil and military leadership to further enhance cooperation on border guards’ issue.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Zarif met to discuss bilateral ties and the issue of abduction of Iranian border guards.

During his meeting with Pakistani counterpart both sides agreed to continue close consultations through the established multipronged mechanism between the two countries for safe recovery of abducted Iranian border guards.

Zarif had also met with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed regional security situation and other matters of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed the situation arising due to abduction of Iranian border guards.

Earlier upon his arrival in Islamabad Foreign Minister Zarif said Pakistan has promised to help Iran recover the Iranian border guards safely.

All efforts taken by the Iranian government clearly show how much serious Iran is in recovering its abducted border guards. However, Iran is only pursuing path of diplomacy on the issue keeping in view its important ties with neighboring Pakistan.

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