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Jundullah chief in Afghanistan, Pakistan tells Iran

* Interior minister tells Iranian counterpart cooperation between Islamabad, Tehran essential for regional peace

ISLAMABAD: Abdul Malik Regi, the chief of the militant group Jundullah, is in Afghanistan, Islamabad told Iran on Friday.

During a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mustafa Muhammad Najjar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Reigi was not in Pakistan and assured Najjar of Islamabad’s cooperation in the ongoing investigations into the suicide attack in Iran on October 19 that killed at least 40 people including a Revolutionary Guard commander.

Talking about the historic ties between the neighbour countries, Najjar stressed the need to further strengthen the relationship.

Malik told Najjar that Pakistan would never allow its territory to be used for any terrorist activity against Iran.

Later, speaking to the media, Malik said, “We have informed Iran about the exact location of Reigi in Afghanistan.”

He said Tehran had requested Pakistan to extradite two suspects, currently being held by Pakistani law enforcers.

“We have told Iran that investigations are underway and if involvement of the suspected persons in any terrorist act in Iran is proven, they will be handed over,” he said.

Malik said the meeting had decided to enhance capacity building of the Border Working Group, adding the group would soon meet to discuss border-related issues. The minister said the meeting had also discussed ways to monitor cross-border human trafficking.

The interior minister said that both countries had agreed to beef up security on their shared border.

Cooperation: Malik said it was "imperative that Pakistan and Iran work in harmony for peace in the region", AFP reported.

Earlier, speaking to the Pakistan Television, Najjar said, "We have documents that show Reigi travels readily to Pakistan. We are here to ask Pakistan to hand over

Reigi to Iran."

"Sheltering Reigi is not in the interest of the two countries' good neighbourly relations," Najjar said.

Iran has accused the US and Britain of backing Jundullah and has suggested it has links with Pakistani intelligence. Washington, London and Islamabad have all denied involvement.

Jundullah, which accuses the Iranian government of discrimination against Sunnis, has been blamed for many deadly incidents over the last few years. It reportedly claimed a bombing of a mosque in Sistan-Baluchestan in May, which killed 25 people.

The Revolutionary Guards, seen as fiercely loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, handle security in border areas. Their power and resources have increased since the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005. tahir niaz/afp

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