The remains of eight Pakistani citizens who were shot dead in the province of Sistan of Iran earlier this week were transferred back to Pakistan in the early hours of Thursday.
According to the sources, a special plane that transported the bodies landed at Bahawalpur airport around 3:00 am
Subsequently, the deceased were transferred in ambulance to their hometown for the final rites. Seven of the victims were from Khanqah Sharif in Bahawalpur, while an era of shujaabad in the fine district.
Strict security arrangements were established at Bahawalpur airport, with district administration officials, rescue equipment and security personnel deployed to administer the reception.
Senior officials, including the Bahawalpur commissioner and the deputy commissioner, were present at the airport to supervise the arrangements and offer condolences to the afflicted families.
The victims had been working as a mechanics of vehicles in the district of Mehrestan, located about 230 kilometers from the border between Pakistan-Iran. On April 12, unidentified gunmen entered the workshop and opened fire, killing the eight.
The Pakistan government strongly condemned the attack and has formally urged Iranian authorities to stop the perpetrators and make sure they are taken before justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the incident as a “barbarian act of terrorism” and asked Iranian officials to reveal the reasons behind the attack and process those involved.
The Sistan-Balocistan region of Iran has experienced disturbances for a long time, with frequent confrontations that involve separatist elements, drug traffickers and security forces.
