Unknown gunmen kill 9 Pakistanis in Iran

Unknown Iranian gunmen killed nine foreigners believed to be of Pakistani origin in the city of Saravan on January 27. Local reports say that all the victims were workers at an auto repair shop in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, near the Pakistan border.

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, no group has claimed responsibility so far.

Pakistan's ambassador to Iran Muddasir Tipu confirmed that the deceased belonged to Pakistan and called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter.

"Deeply shocked by horrifying killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families. Counsel Zahidan is already on his way to incident site & hospital where injured are under treatment.We called upon to extend full cooperation in the matter," he said on social media X.

Pakistani envoy arrived in Iran on Friday while his counterpart touched down at Islamabad, signaling the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the countries.

Iran and Pakistan have been working towards restoring full diplomatic relations following a brief disruption in ties after Tehran conducted strikes on terrorist targets inside Pakistani territory.

In response, Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes in the same area, claiming to be targeting militant hideouts. At least nine people were killed in that attack.

The tit-for-tat attacks appeared to target two Baluch militant groups with similar separatist goals on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border. The two countries have accused each other of providing safe haven to the groups in their respective territories.

(With inputs from agencies)