Five abducted Iranian border guards return home

TEHRAN: Five of the 14 Iranian border guards who had been abducted on the border with Pakistan in October returned home following consultations with Pakistani diplomatic and military officials, Iranian media reported.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Public Relations Department announced in a statement that the abductees returned to Iran Wednesday night after consultation and interaction with Pakistan.

Last week, the Pakistani armed forces and law enforcement agencies safely recovered the five Iranian guards.

The Foreign Office spokesperson, Dr Muhammad Faisal, said in a tweeter statement that five abducted Iranian guards were recovered safely with concerted efforts of the Pakistani armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

He said the recovered guards are in good health and being handed over to Iranian authorities, adding that concerted efforts under vigilance of the military leadership are underway to recover the rest of the guards.

Fourteen Iranian security guards, including members of the Revolutionary Guards, were kidnapped on the southeastern border. The 14 people were kidnapped around 4 or 5 a.m. on Oct 16 in Lulakdan border area, according to Iranian authorities.