ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Friday extended his heartfelt gratitude to Pakistan Navy for its swift response to a recent maritime emergency, wherein 23 Iranian fishermen were rescued from a fishing boat in the open sea, Pakistani state media reported.
Pakistan Navy said it had rescued the fishermen this week from a sailing vessel that reported problems in its engine and injury to a crew member in the Gulf of Aden.
Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Zulfiqar deployed on the Regional Maritime Security Patrol responded to a distress call made by Iranian fishing dhow, Al Muhammadi, which was stranded over 1,200 nautical miles from its home port.
In his message of appreciation, Ambassador Moghadam praised the Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and commitment, emphasizing the longstanding spirit of mutual support between Iran and Pakistan in international rescue and humanitarian assistance efforts.
“The people of Iran are truly grateful for Pakistan’s unwavering readiness to assist in times of need, exemplifying the close bonds and mutual commitment that Iran and Pakistan have cherished throughout their history,” he was quoted as saying by the Pakistani state-run APP news agency.
The timely and successful rescue operation was an expression of the Pakistan Navy’s determination to ensure the safety of human life at sea. It has rescued Iranian vessels and their crew members in the past as well.
Ambassador Moghadam recalled a similar incident in March, when the Pakistan Navy provided critical assistance by rescuing eight Iranian fishermen after a fire broke out on their vessel, the report said.
Tehran’s envoy praises Pakistan Navy for rescuing 23 Iranian fishermen
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Tehran’s envoy praises Pakistan Navy for rescuing 23 Iranian fishermen
- These Iranian fishermen were rescued from a fishing vessel that reported problems in its engine and injury to a crew member
- Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiqar responded to a distress call by Iranian vessel stranded 1,200 nautical miles from its home port
Afghan government says three civilians killed by Pakistani shelling
- Deaths happened in Kota village in Paktika province’s Dand Patan district, says official
- Pakistan insists it has not targeted civilians in its military campaign against Afghanistan
KABUL: The Taliban government said on Wednesday that three civilians were killed in southeastern Afghanistan when Pakistani forces fired mortars and artillery across the countries’ shared border.
Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat told media in an audio message that the deaths happened on Tuesday in Kot village, in the Dand Patan district of Paktia province.
“Three civilians were killed due to a shell hitting their houses and three were injured,” he added.
A medical source also confirmed the death of three civilians to an AFP correspondent in southeastern Afghanistan.
Pakistan has insisted it does not target civilians. Casualty claims from both sides are difficult to verify independently.
Months of cross-border clashes have flared again since February 26, when Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier, in retaliation for earlier Pakistani air strikes.
Islamabad then declared “open war” against the Taliban authorities and led strikes on Kabul and Kandahar in the following days.
Regular clashes have been reported in the border areas since February 26.
Fitrat said Pakistan has fired “hundreds of mortars and artillery” along the border, causing civilian casualties.
Two civilians were also injured in the eastern province of Khost on Tuesday, the spokesman added.
According to a report by the United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 56 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan, including 24 children, by Pakistani military operations between February 26 and March 5.
About 115,000 people were forced to leave their homes, according to the UN refugee agency.
