At least 18 people, who were illegally travelling to Iran, were reportedly killed and two others wounded when unidentified armed men attacked them with sophisticated weapons in Kech district near Pakistan-Iran border on Friday.

According to sources, over 21 people, who travelled to Gwadar from Karachi, were heading towards Iran when the attackers riding on motorbikes sprayed them with bullets at the Dasht Shooli Balnagor area, in the tehsil Dasht of Kech district. As a result, 18 people were killed and two others wounded, while one person escaped unhurt.

Sources said the ill-fated illegal immigrants were heading towards Iran in vans through the mountainous area when they were intercepted by the armed men, who shot them dead after confirming their identity.

“Most of the victims belonged to Punjab,” sources said, adding that the incident occurred around 1pm.

Muhammad Saleem, Levies Force personnel, confirmed the incident, saying 14 people belonged to Punjab and four from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while two persons were injured in the incident. Meanwhile, the Baloch Tiger Liberation, through its spokesman Meeran Baloch, has claimed responsibility for the Turbat attack.

Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani has taken notice of the incident and sought report on vans plying illegally near the Iran border.