Iran frees two soldiers kidnapped in Pakistan: Anadolu Agency

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has freed its two soldiers, who were among the 12 soldiers kidnapped in 2018, in an intelligence operation inside Pakistan's territory, Anadolu Agency reported.

"A successful operation was carried out last Tuesday night to rescue two kidnapped border guards who were taken as hostages by Jaish ul-Adl orgzation two and a half years ago," the IRGC was quoted as saying in an official statement on Wednesday.

The statement said the soldiers have been transferred back to Iran.

On October 16, 2018, Jaish ul-Adl orgsation kidnapped 12 IRGC guards to Pakist territory in the city of Merkava in Sistan and Baluchestan Province on the border between the two countries, Anadolu Agency stated.

Following this, the military officials formed a joint committee between two countries to free the guards.

While five of the 12 soldiers were released in November 2018, the Pakist Army rescued four on March 21, 2019.

According to Anadolu, Jaish ul-Adl orgzation, which Tehran has declared a terrorist orgzation, is waging an armed struggle against the Iran government, saying it defends the rights of Baloch Sunnis in Iran.

( With inputs from ANI )