MEHRESTAN: In a tragic incident, at least eight Pakistani nationals were shot and killed by unidentified armed men in Iran’s restive Sistan and Baluchestan province on Saturday. The victims, all working as car mechanics, were targeted at a workshop in the Mehrestan district, near the border with Afghanistan.
According to Iranian media reports, the attack occurred in a remote area that has long struggled with instability due to its strategic location close to both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The slain individuals were reportedly engaged in vehicle repair work when they were ambushed by gunmen.
The deceased have been identified as Delshad, the owner of the workshop; his son Naeem; and three others named Jafar, Danesh, and Nasir. All of them hailed from Pakistan’s Punjab province, as reported by the Halwosh news agency. Authorities are still in the process of identifying the remaining victims.
Iranian officials have launched an investigation into the killings. The motives behind the attack remain unclear, but such incidents are not uncommon in the region, which is known for frequent armed clashes, smuggling operations, and militant activity. The volatile security situation in the Sistan-Baluchestan province has raised serious concerns for the safety of migrant workers.
After the completion of legal and forensic procedures, Iranian authorities will coordinate with Pakistani officials to repatriate the bodies of the deceased.
This is not the first time Pakistani citizens have fallen victim to violence in this region. In January 2024, at least nine Pakistanis were killed and three others injured in a similar attack in southeastern Iran, just a day after both nations resumed diplomatic ties following a brief strain.
The latest incident highlights the growing insecurity for foreign laborers working in Iran's eastern provinces. Many Pakistanis migrate to Iran for employment in agriculture and auto repair services, particularly in border towns like Mehrestan. The attack has sparked renewed calls for greater protection and oversight of migrant workers in conflict-prone areas.
