Six pilgrims returning from Iran go missing at Pakistan-Iran border

Our Staff Reporter


Islamabad: At least six pilgrims have been abducted by unidentified armed assailants near the Pakistan-Iran border, the media reported.

The incident took place on Sunday in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, when Shia pilgrims from Karachi arrived from Iran, reports The Express Tribune.

Media reports quoted sources that the pilgrims had spent about 50 days in the Iranian city of Mashhad and were on their way back to Karachi. The kidnappers left two women and took away with them six male pilgrims.

Every year, a large number of Shia pilgrims from different parts of the country enter Iran from the Taftan border.

Pakistan has more than a 900 km border with Iran. Human traffickers also use unfrequented border routes to sneak into Iran on their way to European countries.

Every year, thousands of people in poverty are sneaking into Iran on their way to European countries. However, most of them have been caught by the authorities in Iran and Turkey.

Pakistan and Iran have set up a joint border commission to hold regular meetings every three months to discuss border issues, reports The Express Tribune.