The video first broadcast by Saudi Arabia’s al-Arabiya TV channel and then posted online on Sunday shows first sergeant Jamshid Danaifar sitting in the middle of the other four abducted Iranian border guards, saying they are in good health and urging the Iranian government to help release them.
The five Iranian border guards were kidnapped by Jaish-ul-Adl terrorists in Jakigour region in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan on February 6 and taken to the Pakistani territory.
The Islamic Republic has asked Interpol to prosecute those behind the abduction.
Meanwhile, Iranian and international activists have begun a campaign known as “Free Iranian Soldiers” on social media websites, calling for the release of five Iranian border guards.
On Saturday, Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli held Pakistan accountable for the kidnapping.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for an investigation into the incident, tasking the Foreign Ministry with taking the necessary measures to implement a border security agreement with Pakistan.
On October 25, 2013, Jaish-ul-Adl killed 14 Iranian border guards and wounded six others in the border region near the city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan.
In February 2013, Iran and Pakistan signed a security agreement, under which both countries are required to cooperate in preventing and combating organized crime, fighting terrorism and countering the activities that pose a threat to the national security of either country.
Iran has repeatedly called on Pakistan to comply with the terms of the agreement.
SHI/SHI