New Delhi (NVI): At least 10 people were killed and several others were injured after Iranian forces opened fire at Baloch traders at border with Pakistan near Panjgur district that falls in Balochistan.
As per reports, Iranian border guards at Pakistan-Iran border opened fire on the oil traders and labourers following an altercation. The sensitive border has been in new in the past as well as Baloch people and labourers are handled roughly by both Iranian and Pakistani authorities here.
#Another, patrolling vehicles of Iranian border security guards could be seen in vedio. @Natsecjeff https://t.co/HaFcxnJgpL pic.twitter.com/66S38Q3juL
— Ibrar Ahmed (@PhilanthropistI) February 22, 2021
Videos on social media showed vehicles of Iranian border guards patrolling near the border fence. The incident resulted in protests by local people following which both Pakistani and Iranian forces had to flee from their posts, according to The Balochistan Post.
TBP Video: Nearly 10 people have been killed and several others have been injured after Iranian forces opened fire on Baloch traders at border near Panjgur. pic.twitter.com/Z7JWT5HjVT
— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) February 22, 2021
The ‘Iran-Pakistan’ border is used by thousands of Baloch traders daily. However, ill-treatment by border forces is a routine for traders, as per the Baloch news website.
Some reports on social media have also referred to the deceased as Baloch residents who turned to oil smuggling. A recent report published by Gandhara news website said that with few job options left, several Baloch people have engaged in the risky business of oil smuggling at the border with Iran near Panjgur.
“The illegal trade is rife with dangers. Smugglers must either bribe or avoid border guards and law enforcement officials on both sides of the border. In the absence of good roads, treacherous mountain tracks often prove deadly for motorcyclists and drivers,” the report published on February 11 said.
-ARK
