Iran, Pakistan form committee to free abducted guards

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Iran and Pakistan have set up a joint border committee to make efforts to secure the release of five Iranian border guards abducted by the Jaish-ul-Adl Takfiri terrorist group.The decision was adopted at the 17th meeting of the Iran-Pakistan Joint Border Commission in Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, to counter terrorist operations in the area.This was the third meeting between Iranian and Pakistani officials since the five border guards were abducted on February 6.The Iranian guards were kidnapped in Jakigour region in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan and taken to the Pakistani territory.A video first broadcast by Saudi Arabia’s al-Arabiya TV channel and then posted online on February 16 showed the five abducted Iranian guards in good health.Also at the meeting, the Iranian and Pakistani officials discussed other issues, including the enhancement of border commerce, the renovation of border walls, opening a new terminal in Makran region, power transmission, the extradition of nationals, visa issuance and joint border patrols.Following the meeting, head of the Pakistani delegation Baber Yaqoub Mohammad expressed deep concern over the abduction of the Iranian guards and underlined Pakistan’s resolve to interact with Iran over the issue. Provincial Governor of Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan Ali Asghar Shekari, who headed the Iranian mission, expressed gratitude over Pakistan’s cooperation in pursuing the fate of the abducted guards and underscored the need for closer mutual cooperation to prevent similar incidents.In February 2013, Iran and Pakistan signed a security agreement, under which both countries are required to cooperate in preventing and combating organized crime, fighting terrorism and countering the activities that pose a threat to the national security of either country./129