Iran ready to help Pakistan with border security: Interior minister

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli says the Islamic Republic is ready to cooperate with neighboring countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, to secure their common borders with Iran.

On Thursday, Rahmani Fazli said efforts are underway along Iran-Pakistan border between the two countries to prosecute those responsible for the recent abduction of five Iranian border guards, stating that several meetings have been also held with Pakistani border officials in this regard.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has notified Pakistan of its preparedness to provide border security for this country, the Iranian interior minister pointed out.

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

The so-called Jaish-ul-Adl terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the abductions.
Following the incident, Iran Foreign Ministry invited the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran to protest the abduction and transfer of the abductees to Pakistan.

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

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.