Pakistan shows serious concern on Iranian minister's troops remarks

Pakistan has noted with serious concern a statement by Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani- Fazli that Iran would send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards who were kidnapped by militants on Feb. 6 from the border region about 5 km inside Iranian territory. Iran said that militants have kidnapped five soldiers and have taken them to Pakistan. A Sunni group "Jasih-ul-Adl" had claimed responsibility for the incident and also released a video. "The government of Pakistan regrets the suggestions of negligence on its part over the incident, especially when Pakistan 's active support against terrorists groups in the past is well- known and acknowledged by Iran," the Foreign Ministry said. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Pakistan has already informed the Iranian authorities that its Frontier Corps teams have intensively combed the entire region but could not verify the entry or presence of these Iranian border guards on its territory. "It is therefore possible that the miscreants along with the abducted border guards are still hiding within the Iranian territory." She said the security agencies of both countries are in regular contact and a senior level Pak-Iran border meeting is scheduled in the Quetta for Feb. 19, where relevant information would be exchanged. "It shall, however, be emphasized that the Iranian forces have no authority to cross our borders in violation of the international law. We must respect each other's borders," the Foreign Ministry said.