Iran seals 'zero point' at Pakistan border

Quetta (Pakistan), Nov.4 : Iran has closed down its border with Pakistan in the Taftan area of Balochistan, which has affected thousands of daily labourers in the region.

According to sources, over 25,000 daily wage earners have been affected adversely by the closure of the ‘zero point’ between both the countries.

Prices of petroleum products have increased suddenly in the region by over 20 to 25 rupees per litre, The News reports.

Tehran’s action is seen as retaliation against the devastating bomb blast in Sistan where over 40 security guards were killed.

Iran has been blaming Pakistan for the attack on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRG) in which 42 people were killed, saying there is specific information that the perpetrators were hiding inside Pakistan, and has asked Islamabad to ‘clarify’ its stance over reports regarding its links with the banned terror group, Jondollah.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had also said that the Sunni rebel group, which carried out a deadly bombing, was based in Pakistan.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has also asked Islamabad to ‘clarify’ its stance over reports regarding its links with Jondollah.

Moslehi alleged that Pakistan’s premier intelligene agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has close links with Jondollah.

Pakistan, however, has dismissed all allegations of supporting the terror group, saying the terror attack was aimed at spoiling ties with Tehran.

--ANI