Chagai, April 14, 2025: The bodies of eight Pakistani nationals killed in Iran’s Mehrestan district have not yet been brought to Taftan, officials in Chagai district confirmed on Monday.
The victims, all auto mechanics by profession, were shot dead by unidentified assailants at their workshop in Mehrestan, located around 230 kilometers from the Pakistan-Iran border.
According to the Chagai Deputy Commissioner, local authorities are in contact with Iranian officials and the Pakistani embassy in Tehran to expedite the repatriation process. Embassy sources have indicated that it may take up to two more days for the bodies to reach Taftan.
Arrangements have been finalized for the transportation of the victims to Bahawalpur once the bodies arrive at the border. Six of the deceased hailed from Khanqa Sharif, a rural locality in Bahawalpur, while the remaining two were residents of Tehsil Ahmedpur Sharqia.
The attack occurred in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province — a region often marred by violence involving separatist militants, drug traffickers, and cross-border smugglers. The area has witnessed repeated incidents of targeted attacks in recent years due to its strategic and unstable location.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killings in strong terms, calling it a “heinous act of terrorism.” He urged Iranian authorities to swiftly arrest the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice. The prime minister also demanded a public explanation of the motives behind the attack.
Pakistani nationals, particularly from southern Punjab, often travel to Iran in search of work, mainly in the automotive and agricultural sectors. However, recent incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of foreign workers in Iran’s eastern provinces.
In a similar incident last year, nine Pakistanis were shot dead and three injured near the Iran-Pakistan border, just a day after the two countries restored diplomatic relations following cross-border tensions. Iranian media at the time reported that the victims were “foreign nationals” and confirmed that no group had claimed responsibility.
That attack, like the latest one, highlighted the persistent security risks in the region and underscored the need for closer bilateral cooperation to protect vulnerable migrant workers.
