TEHRAN, Dec 8: Three tourists, two Germans and an Irish national, have been kidnapped in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

A government source said the three were snatched near Nosrat Abad, on the road between the historic ancient city of Bam and Zahedan, near Iran’s border with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The source said the three were cycling to Zahedan. It said they were abducted several days ago by members of the Shah-Bakhsh and Narui tribes who were demanding a ransom for their release.

Another source said the group were being held by an outlaw who was demanding a ransom of five million dollars.

In Berlin, the German foreign ministry said it has set up a crisis group.

“The government has learned about a kidnapping involving foreigners in Iran. We have information that there may be Germans,” the ministry spokeswoman said at a routine government press conference. “A crisis group has been set up.”

There was no immediate comment available from the Irish embassy in Tehran.

Sistan-Baluchistan, neighbouring Afghanistan as well as Pakistan, is notorious as a corridor for the smuggling of heroin, opium and cannabis.

Iranian security forces maintain a strong presence there, with armed clashes between troops and traffickers often reported.

A rash of kidnappings of foreigners took place in the province several years ago, and visitors are advised to exercise prudence amid the government’s efforts to clamp down hard on drug traffickers.—AFP