A frame grab of a footage broadcast by Saudi Arabias al-Arabiya TV channel on February 17, 2014, showing five Iranian border guards abducted by the Jaish-ul-Adl Takfiri terrorist group.[/caption]TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli underlined Iran's determination to clarify the fate of the Iranian border guards abducted on February 6, and said that the country's contacts with the Pakistani security forces and the kidnappers are expected to bring about good results soon.
The Iranian minister underscored on Tuesday that Iran is seriously pursuing the fate and release of its border guards who were kidnapped and transferred to Pakistan in early February.
He further added that Iran carried out all necessary and diplomatic activities to secure the release of the abductees and held direct and even unofficial talks over the issue.
Regarding all efforts, it seems that we will witness promising news about the state of the abducted border guards in the near future, the Iranian minister said.
Five Iranian border guards were abducted in Jakigour region of Irans Sistan and Balouchestan Province on February 6 and taken to Pakistani territory.
The so-called Jeish al-Adl terrorist group claimed responsibility for the abductions.
The outlawed terrorist group Jeish al-Adl released a photo of the kidnapped border guards on its Tweeter page and claimed the responsibility for their abduction on February 8. Earlier reports had said that the abducted soldiers had been transferred to Pakistan which has a long border with Iran in the Southeastern parts of the country.
On February 11, Iran called on Pakistani officials to arrest and extradite the members of the terrorist Jeish al-Adl group who are responsible for the recent abduction of the five Iranian border guards.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing the abduction of 5 Iranian border guards by the terrorist groups, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said in her weekly press conference in Tehran at the time.
Afkham elaborated on the measures taken by Iran in pursuit of the fate of the 5 border guards, and said Tehran's officials have made visits to Pakistan, summoned Islamabads ambassador to Tehran to the foreign ministry and called for the countrys serious acts to control the border regions.
We also want them to identify the abductors of the border guards and extradite them to the Iranian officials and we are ready to cooperate with Pakistan to establish security at the borders and fight outlawed and terrorist groups in Pakistan, she underlined.
On February 9, Irans Police Chief Brigadier General Esmayeel Ahmadi Moqaddam voiced concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Pakistan's territories, and underlined that Iran's police along with the Foreign Ministry are resolved to do their best to clear the fate of the five Iranian guards abducted at the Iran-Pakistan border.
Ahmadi Moqaddam criticized the performance of the Pakistani government and its border police in the joint border region.
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 the five Iranian border guards.
Iranian 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.
Iran has repeatedly called on Pakistan to comply with the terms of the agreement.
On February 15, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli held Pakistan accountable for the kidnapping of the five Iranian border guards.
On October 25, 2013, Jeish al-Adl killed 14 Iranian border guards and wounded six others in the border region near the city of Saravan in Sistan and Balouchestan.
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.
By Fars News Agency
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