Killing of 9 Pakistani nationals in Iran blamed on 'common enemies' of two countries

NEW DELHI, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Pakistan and Iran have blamed their "common enemies" for an armed attack that killed nine Pakistani nationals in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province on Saturday.

"Saddened over  the death of Pakistanis in Iran in a terrorist attack.This heinous attack is an attempt to spoil relations between Pakistan and Iran by our common enemies. While offering condolences to the families of victims, urge the Iranian government for action," Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said.

The attack by unknown gunmen killed nine Pakistani workers and wounded three in a house in the Sirkan neighbourhood of Saravan city.

Iran and Pakistan "won't allow enemies to harm the fraternal relations" between the two countries, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.

The attack follows tension between Iran and Pakistan this month after their missile strikes on "militant hideouts" in each other's territory.

Islamabad and Tehran moved quickly to defuse the situation and reaffirm their normally close relations after the military action.

Militant activities in the porous border region of Pakistani province Balochistan and Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan have sometimes been a source of friction between them.

The development of two strategic ports -- Chabahar in Iran and Gwadar in Pakistan-- has raised the region's geopolitical profile.

Both countries have pledged to resolve their differences through talks and emphasised close cooperation on bilateral and other issues.

Iran-Pakistan relations are "unbreakable", Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said while receiving Pakistani ambassador Muddasir Tipu's credentials on Saturday.

"Borders are an opportunity for economic exchanges and improving the security of neighbours, and it is necessary to protect this opportunity against any element of insecurity," Raisi was quoted as saying by Iranian media.

-- BERNAMA