Iran-Pakistan 'Taftan border' reopened after six months

Islamabad, Jan 27(ANI): Iran has reopened its border with Pakistan, which was closed following a suicide attack in an Iranian border city that was blamed on an anti-Iran group based in Pakistan, officials said.

Iran had closed the border with Pakistan at Taftan after two suicide bombers struck a mosque in Zahidan in July 2010, killing 22 people and injuring 160 others. Iranian authorities said the attackers had crossed into Iran from Pakistan's territory- a charge denied by Islamabad.

On Wednesday, a formal border-opening ceremony was held at Zero Point at Taftan, which was attended by officials from both sides, Xinhua reported.

Assistant Commissioner of Taftan Khalid Dad Baloch, Pakistan Frontier Corps Commander Major Khuram and Commander of Border Security Force-2 Mehdi Zamani attended the ceremony.

Baloch told reporters that the border was reopened after a series of talks between Pakistani and Iranian officials, adding that the decisive round of talks was held on Wednesday.

A large number of people involved in cross-border trading welcomed Zero Point's reopening after a five-month closure, and hoped that the step would increase trade activities. Nearly 5000 people are connected with Pakistan-Iran border trade, according to officials. (ANI)