Sistan-Baluchistan has been the scene of recurrent fights
between Guards and the ethnic Baloch Sunni insurgents. The attack took place a little before a reconciliation meeting between the Guards and tribal chiefs; part of an effort to promote Shia-Sunni bonhomie in the region.
Over a dozen odd tribal figures were also among those killed. “The Guards were trying to resolve problems between the local Shias and the Sunnis. Naturally, Jundallah did not like it,” adds Khani.
The attack was carried out by a man who allegedly camouflaged himself in tribal garb and set off an explosive belt at the meeting venue. The violence shows how deep is the threat to peace in this region bordering Iran and two of its volatile neighbours: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In Kabul, the US occupation forces are battling a regrouped and resurgent Taliban, and in Pakistan, the army this weekend unleashed a key offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in South Waziristan.
Jundallah has its own agenda, but its links with radical groups in Pakistan has forced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to urge the Zardari government to take action against the outlawed group.
Iranian officials believe that the attack was planned in certain restive areas of Pakistan. “The presence of terrorist elements in Pakistan is not justifiable and the government needs to arrest and punish the criminals as soon as possible,” Ahmadinejad told Zardari — a remark that was aired by the state TV.
However, Pakistan has washed its hands of the incident. Condemning the attack, Pak spokesman Abdul Basit said Islamabad had nothing to do with the outfit. It also dismissed Iranian officials’ allegation that Jundallah’s head was in Pakistan. But Iran has blamed US, British and Pakistani intelligence services of being behind the attack. The war of words continues.
between Guards and the ethnic Baloch Sunni insurgents. The attack took place a little before a reconciliation meeting between the Guards and tribal chiefs; part of an effort to promote Shia-Sunni bonhomie in the region.Over a dozen odd tribal figures were also among those killed. “The Guards were trying to resolve problems between the local Shias and the Sunnis. Naturally, Jundallah did not like it,” adds Khani.
The attack was carried out by a man who allegedly camouflaged himself in tribal garb and set off an explosive belt at the meeting venue. The violence shows how deep is the threat to peace in this region bordering Iran and two of its volatile neighbours: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In Kabul, the US occupation forces are battling a regrouped and resurgent Taliban, and in Pakistan, the army this weekend unleashed a key offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in South Waziristan.
Jundallah has its own agenda, but its links with radical groups in Pakistan has forced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to urge the Zardari government to take action against the outlawed group.
Iranian officials believe that the attack was planned in certain restive areas of Pakistan. “The presence of terrorist elements in Pakistan is not justifiable and the government needs to arrest and punish the criminals as soon as possible,” Ahmadinejad told Zardari — a remark that was aired by the state TV.
However, Pakistan has washed its hands of the incident. Condemning the attack, Pak spokesman Abdul Basit said Islamabad had nothing to do with the outfit. It also dismissed Iranian officials’ allegation that Jundallah’s head was in Pakistan. But Iran has blamed US, British and Pakistani intelligence services of being behind the attack. The war of words continues.
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