ISLAMABAD: Iranian ambassador was summoned to Foreign Office on Saturday to receive a demarche following border clashes that left a Pakistani paramilitary soldier dead.

No statement was issued by FO about the summoning of Ambassador Ali Raza Haghighian.

However, a source said that Iran was asked to investigate the incident in which a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier was killed and at least three others were injured due to firing by Iranian border guards.

The incident happened after some militants attacked an Iranian border post.

The Iranian ambassador’s visit to FO was preceded by another incident of Iranian troops firing mortars into Pakistani territory.

The Iranian envoy was reminded that the border management committee was supposed to deal with complaints regarding movement of militants along the frontier.

According to a source, both sides agreed to resolve the matter amicably.

The border incidents followed a number of statements made by Iranian officials who accused Pakistani authorities of failing to control the situation along the border with Iran.

On Friday, the FO spokesperson had asked Iran not to “externalise” its problems.

Iran, meanwhile, has alleged that militants attacking its border posts have sanctuaries in Balochistan.

Saleem Shahid adds from Quetta: Iranian forces fired on Saturday morning mortar shells at Mashkel town, in Balochistan’s Washuk district.

It was the third border violation by the Iranians since Thursday night.

According to security officials, mortar shells fired by Iranian forces exploded in an open area of Mashkel town.

“Iranian border forces fired mortar shells early in the morning without any provocation,” Mashkel Assistant Commissioner Asghar Shahbaz said. No loss of life or property was reported in the attack.

FC troops reached the area soon after the attack, after which the shelling stopped.

More FC troops were deployed in the area and patrolling was enhanced along with border, the sources said.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2014