Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador in Islamabad over remarks by Chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri.
According to the Dawn newspaper on Tuesday, Mehdi Honardoost was summoned to convey Pakistan's concerns over a warning by Baqeri that Iran would deal with the terrorists themselves if Pakistan was unable to address the issue.
"We expect the Pakistani officials to control the borders, arrest the terrorists and shut down their bases … If the terrorist attacks continue, we will deal crushing blows to their safe havens and cells, wherever they are," Baqeri was quoted as saying on Monday by Press TV. The general made the remarks following an attack on Iran-Pakistan border that claimed the lives of 10 Iranian border guards on April 11, saying the border area on Pakistani soil has "unfortunately" turned into a haven and training ground for "Saudi-hired terrorists, who enjoy the US endorsement".
The so-called Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group claimed the attack in a statement. The assailants escaped into Pakistani territory immediately after the attack.
Following the attack, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador to communicate Tehran's strong protest. Last week, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Pakistan at the head of a high-ranking political, military, law enforcement and security delegation to discuss the attack and hold talks with senior Pakistani officials.
During Honardoost's meeting at the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Iran was urged to refrain from making statements that may harm bilateral relations between the neighboring countries. Iranian Army's Ground Forces Commander Lieutenant General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan also said the country reserves the right to destroy the "lairs" of terrorists in Pakistan.
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