The remains of eight Pakistani citizens who were fatally slaughtered in the Iranian province of Sistan earlier this week were brought back to Pakistan in the early hours of Thursday.
According to sources, a special plane carrying bodies landed at Bahawalpur airport around 3:00 am.
The deceased was then moved by ambulance in their native cities for the final rites. Seven of the victims came from Khanqah Sharif to Bahawalpur, while we were Shujaabad in the Multan district.
Strict safety arrangements were in place at Bahawalpur airport, with district administration, rescue teams and security personnel deployed to manage reception.
High officials, including the Commissioner and Deputy of Bahawalpur, were present at the airport to supervise the arrangements and offer condolences to the bereaved families.
The victims worked as mechanics of vehicles in the Méhrestan district, located approximately 230 kilometers from the Pakistani-Iranian border. On April 12, unidentified armed men entered the workshop and opened fire, killing the eight.
The government of Pakistan firmly condemned the attack and officially urged the Iranian authorities to apprehend the authors and to ensure that they are brought to justice.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the incident of “the barbaric act of terrorism” and called on Iranian officials to disclose the reasons for the attack and to continue the people involved.
The Iranian region of Sistan-Balochistan has long suffered disorders, with frequent clashes involving separatist elements, drug addicts and security forces.
