Iran demands Pakistan extradite suspected Iranian militant

Published March 5, 2015
Iran handed Interpol the request for Abdul Sattar, a cousin of Abdulmalik Rigi and a “well known terrorist”, General Rezvani said. Abdul Malik, who was the top leader of Jundullah, was arrested and executed by Iran in early 2011. - AFP/File
Iran handed Interpol the request for Abdul Sattar, a cousin of Abdulmalik Rigi and a “well known terrorist”, General Rezvani said. Abdul Malik, who was the top leader of Jundullah, was arrested and executed by Iran in early 2011. - AFP/File

TEHRAN: Iran has demanded the extradition of a suspected Iranian Sunni militant arrested over the weekend in a border area in Pakistan, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.

The two countries share a volatile and porous border, often used by smugglers and militants, including members of a Sunni militant group known as Jundullah, or "Army of God".

Jundullah is made up of mostly Iranian Sunnis, mainly from the ethnic Baloch community that allegedly operates from Pakistan's Balochistan province and is trying to overthrow the Shia-dominated government in Iran.

Also read: Senator urges govt to tell people about Jundullah

The Fars agency quoted General Masoud Rezvani, chief of Iran's branch of Interpol, as saying that Tehran is asking Islamabad to hand over Abdul Sattar Rigi, arrested by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan as he was traveling on a bus in the border area.

Know more: Jundullah’s key leader arrested near Quetta

Iran handed Interpol the request for Abdul Sattar, a cousin of Abdul Malik Rigi and a “well-known terrorist,” Rezvani said. Abdul Malik, who was the top leader of Jundullah, was arrested and executed by Iran in early 2011.

After Iran captured most Jundullah members and disbanded the group, the remaining militants created Jaish al-Adl, which is believed to be affiliated with Al Qaeda and has been held responsible for several attacks in Iran over the past two years.

Explore: IS visits militants in Balochistan: Jundullah spokesman

A Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the case, confirmed to The Associated Press the recent arrest of a senior Jundullah figure but would not provide more details.

In Feb 2014, Jaish al-Adl abducted five Iranian border guards outside Sarbaz, a town in Iran's restive southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province near the Pakistani border with. The guards were taken to Pakistan and one of them was reported killed in captivity while the remaining four were released two months later.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.