Eight Pakistani Citizens Gunned Down in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan

Islamabad/Zahedan – April 13: Eight Pakistani nationals, all reportedly from Punjab province, were brutally shot dead in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province on Saturday, in what officials are treating as a targeted terrorist attack.

The incident took place in the Hizabad Paein village, located about five kilometers from the town of Mehrestan — approximately 230 kilometers inside Iranian territory and well beyond the Pak-Iran border belt.

The victims — identified as Dilshad, his son Muhammad Naeem, Jaffar, Danish, Nasir, and three others — were manual labourers from Bahawalpur, Punjab, working at a car repair workshop in the Hayzabad area of Mehrestan when they were brutally killed.

The Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA), a banned terrorist group, later claimed responsibility for the April 12 killings, stating the labourers were targeted as part of a broader campaign against Pakistani state presence in Baloch-populated regions.

Details of the Attack: How the Pakistani Labourers Were Targeted

The victims were working as manual labourers at a car repair workshop, according to multiple credible sources, including Khorasan Diary, which cited an official with direct knowledge of the matter.

“Among the victims were a father and his two sons. They were tied and shot at point-blank range,” the official told Khorasan Diary. He confirmed that the area was remote and it took authorities significant time to investigate and recover the bodies. “We are treating it as an act of terrorism.”

BREAKING: Eight Pakistanis have been killed in Mehristan area of Sistan va Baluchistan province of Iran, that is 230 kilometres away from Pak-Iran border both Iranian and Pakistani officials confirmed. An official with direct knowledge confirmed to Khorasan Diary that the men… pic.twitter.com/lfOaKJY2JN

— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) April 12, 2025

Local sources report that unidentified assailants stormed the workshop during the night, tied the hands and feet of the mechanics, and opened indiscriminate fire, killing them on the spot. The attackers then escaped.

Moreover, an Iranian official confirmed to Dawn that the tragic incident took place in a village of Meharistan district. “All the eight Pakistanis who were killed belong to Bahawalpur city of southern Punjab,” the official said, adding that they were staying at a workshop where they dented, polished, painted, and repaired cars.

This marks the second such deadly attack on Pakistani citizens in Iran this year. In January 2024, nine Pakistanis were similarly gunned down in southeastern Iran, raising concerns about recurring patterns of violence targeting Pakistani labourers.

January 2024 Attack: Similar Targeted Killing of Pakistani Nationals in Iran

This latest attack follows a similar deadly incident in Iran, which occurred on January 27, 2024, in the city of Saravan, located in the southeastern border region of Iran. In that attack, nine Pakistani laborers were killed, and three others were critically injured. The victims, who were working in an auto repair shop, were shot while they were inside a house they used as their accommodation. The attackers, described as three armed men, entered the house and shot the workers before fleeing the scene. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the January 2024 attack, which occurred just before the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to Pakistan.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry condemned the killings, and Pakistani officials were quick to demand Iranian authorities take immediate action. In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the incident, emphasizing that both Iran and Pakistan were determined to ensure that such violence would not affect their bilateral ties. The bodies of the nine victims were repatriated to Pakistan on February 1, 2024, after being handed over by Iranian authorities at the Taftan border. They were then flown to Punjab by a special plane from Juzak Airport in Sendak.

Notably, the families of the victims in the January 2024 attack organized protests demanding the return of the bodies, blocking the Alipur road in Punjab as a mark of protest. This incident, coming amidst diplomatic efforts by both Iran and Pakistan to mend relations after recent border skirmishes, raised tensions between the two countries, though officials on both sides worked to downplay the potential impact on their bilateral relationship.

Diplomatic Action: Pakistan and Iran Work Together on Investigation

Regarding the latest target killings, Pakistani officials, speaking to local outlets including 24NewsHD, confirmed that a diplomatic team from the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran has been dispatched to the area to assist in the identification of the bodies and coordinate repatriation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also sought a detailed report from Iranian authorities.

Upon receiving reports of the attack, Iranian police arrived at the scene and transferred the victims’ bodies to a local hospital.

Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA): A New Threat on the Radar

While past attacks were often linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), this time, the Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) has openly claimed responsibility. The BNA is another banned terrorist organization, known for targeting non-Baloch workers and carrying out attacks on Pakistani interests in both Balochistan and Iranian territory. Its claim marks a dangerous escalation and confirms concerns of cross-border terrorism with ideological backing from insurgent elements.

Notably, the BLA has previously been accused of orchestrating similar attacks, including a deadly ambush on Punjabi workers in Gwadar and Turbat.

Cross-Border Militancy: Iran’s Struggle with Border Security

Pakistani state officials have long expressed concerns over the BLA’s presence and cross-border movements, warning that the group’s operational capacity is increasingly transnational. The use of Iranian soil in this case has further highlighted gaps in border security and raised fresh questions over Iran’s vigilance and response time in volatile regions such as Sistan-Baluchestan.

The region, which lies roughly 455 kilometers from the Pak-Iran border, has been a known hotspot for drug trafficking, militancy, and terrorist activity. The porous terrain makes it a conduit for undocumented migration and illicit trade, but also leaves locals vulnerable to armed factions.

Both Islamabad and Tehran have maintained high-level communication in the wake of the attack. However, no public statement from the Iranian government has so far confirmed the identity of the attackers or provided details on the security response. Furthermore, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the capture or neutralization of those responsible.

The situation remains fluid, and joint investigations are currently underway. Pakistani embassy officials have been dispatched to the site, while Iranian counterparts have yet to elaborate on countermeasures to prevent future incidents.

Diplomatic watchers note that while border security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan has improved in recent years, events like these pose serious tests to that coordination—particularly as non-state actors continue to exploit regional volatility for violent objectives.

Authorities are in the process of verifying the identities of the deceased. Repatriation arrangements are being made for the victims, all of whom hailed from southern Punjab.

Disclaimer: This is a developing story. The facts presented are based on initial reports from media sources and official statements. Details may evolve as more verified information becomes available. We are committed to updating this story as new information surfaces. Readers are advised to stay tuned for further updates and clarifications.