At least four Pakistanis were killed and two wounded when Iranian forces opened fire on a vehicle in a border town in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Wednesday, authorities said.
According to sources in the Reviz, the incident took place in Tehsil Mashkil Bacha Rai late at night between Tuesday and Wednesday.
A paramilitary source in the province said authorities were in contact with Iranian authorities about the incident but had not yet received an explanation.
“So far it is not known why Iranian forces opened fire on the vehicle from the border town of Mashkil Bacha Rai,” he said.
The shooting, which injured two Pakistani nationals, renewed tensions in the region and highlighted the need for careful management of border security issues.
The border town is considered a security-sensitive location for both Pakistan and Iran.
In January, the two neighbours carried out retaliatory airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in rival territory.
Iran shocked Pakistan by carrying out airstrikes on suspected militant hideouts in restive Balochistan province.
Pakistan responded swiftly, carrying out “precision military strikes” using lethal drones and rockets on what it said were “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, killing nine people.
But both sides moved quickly to calm feelings through diplomatic channels.
