FNA - Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Spokesman Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif announced on Thursday that Pakistani officials have informed that 5 of the 12 border guards kidnapped by the terrorists in Southeastern Iran last month have been freed.

IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari had earlier today said that 5 Iranian border guards have been released and are now with the Pakistani government.


Sharif confirmed his remarks in an interview with FNA, stressing that "what has been said is based on information that the Pakistani side has provided us during exchanges (of meetings) and interactions on the release of the border guards".


He underlined that the IRGC will make its utmost efforts to free all abducted Iranian border guards.


12 Iranian border guards were abducted on Oct. 16 by the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group, which is based in Pakistan. Following the incident, Commander of IRGC Ground Force Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour and Foreign Minister Zarif made separate visits to Pakistan to discuss the issue with Pakistani officials.


General Sharif said in October the terrorists who kidnapped Iranian border guards in Mirjaveh might had ties with Saudi Arabia.


Asked about the latest status of Iranian border guards who were kidnapped by terrorists in Mirjaveh, Sistan-Balouchestan province, he told the media that due to the special circumstances in the province, terrorists are always after harming Iranian guards.


Touching upon recent visits of General Pakpour and Zarif to Pakistan, he added that Pakistani politicians and military officials had promised to have effective cooperation with Iran on releasing abducted border guards.


He hoped that with the increased pressure on terrorists, the guards would be released soon.