TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi called on the Pakistani government to exercise tighter control in the areas alongside the two countries’ common borders.
“If the Pakistani government asks us, we will be ready to help prevent illegal passages in the border regions,” Abdollahi said in a meeting with Governor of Pakistan’s Balouchestan province in Tehran on Wednesday.

Abdollahi pointed to the five Iranian border guards abducted near the country's border with Pakistan on February 6, and said, “The Pakistani officials should make use of all their capacities to set the five abducted Iranian border guards free.”

The Pakistani Balouchestan governor expressed his sympathy over the abduction of the five Iranian border guards, and said, “The government of Pakistan is making utmost efforts to free the border guards.”

He underlined that certain elements intend to ruin the Islamabad-Tehran relations, but the government and nation of Pakistan are willing to expand their relations.

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

On February 9, Iran’s 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, Jaish-ul-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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