ISLAMABAD: In an important development Pakistan on Saturday decided to construct a fence on the border linking with Iran and also decided to conduct aerial monitoring of the frontiers.
In a press briefing FM, Shah Mehmood Qureshi blamed that the terrorists behind the April 18 incident of the killing of 14 people in Balochistan’s Ormara came from Iran.
“As much as 20 terrorists backed by Iran-based militant organization clad in camouflage uniform of the Frontier Corps entered Pakistan from Iran and conducted an attack ”, he added.
“I had said I won’t make a statement until we get certified information. I didn’t want to make a rash statement like India did in the wake of Pulawama incident,” the foreign minister said.
He confirmed that the target of the attack was personnel of Pakistan’s armed forces and as much as 10 Pakistan Navy officials embraced martyrdom in the process. He also confirmed the death of three officials of Pakistan Air Force and one from the Pakistan Coast Guards.
FM also told the press that a Baloch separatist organization has claimed the responsibility of the attack which was provided assistance from Iran.
He also lambasted India over its alleged involvement in recent terror attacks and said that we will never claim anything hastily without any solid evidence.
Qureshi said terrorists’ training camps in the border areas have been traced and expressed the hope that Iranian authorities will take action against such elements.
He recalled Pakistan’s security force had fully cooperated with Iran in ensuring recovery of the Iranian border guards who were abducted from the border areas last year in October.
“Pakistan and Iran enjoy long-standing ties. We have forensic evidence which we can share with Iranian officials,” he said.
The foreign minister said it has been decided that the 950-kilometer long border with Iran will be fenced. Besides, he added, a southern command has been constituted which will be headquartered in Turbat as there would also be patrolling and helicopter surveillance along the border.