Wednesday's terrorist attack by Jaish-ul-Adl militants near the Pak-Iran border that left nine Iranian border guards dead must not be allowed to cast a dark shadow - as it is beginning to look - on the two brotherly countries relations. Pointing the finger in this direction following the atrocity, Tehran hurled a slew of accusations at Islamabad. President Hassan Rouhani wrote a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif protesting that "lack of appropriate measures and necessary prosecution on the part of the Pakistani government have caused great loss of life and property for Iran." Pakistan's Ambassador was summoned by Iran's foreign ministry and handed a demarche demanding that his country take "serious and essential measures" to arrest and punish the terrorists responsible for killing the guards. Earlier, whilst Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost called on the Foreign Office in Islamabad to convey his government's concern, foreign ministry spokesman in Tehran issued an angry statement saying Pakistani government should be held accountable for the alleged presence and operations of terrorist groups on its territory. The spokesman made no secret of the fact that some of the anger emanated from Pakistan joining the Saudi-led military coalition against terrorism as he went on to take a jibe at Islamabad, saying "countries that are participating in the anti-terrorist coalition should respond why they are unable to deal with terrorist groups and armed bandits in their territories." Pakistan, of course, has dismissed the accusations pointing out that the incident took place on Iranian soil, offering its full cooperation, nonetheless, for strengthening coordination and security along the border.

Tehran's rage over the loss of life is understandable, but unsubstantiated allegations will not help address the problem at hand. Indeed, bandits and violent extremists have been active near the Pak-Iran border for quite some time, causing much harm on this side as well. More to the point, Jaish-ul-Adl which took responsibility for the present attack is the successor group of Jundallah, a Sunni militant group led by one Abdul Malik Riggi, with roots in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan provinces - adjoining Pakistani Balochistan. The US was suspected of supporting Jundallah as it launched several terrorist attacks in Iran. But it must be remembered that it was Pakistan which captured Riggi and handed him over to Iran where he was executed in 2010. Later, this country also helped with the arrest of a Riggi brother who too was hanged by Iran. It is unfair therefore to lay the blame on this side for knowingly harbouring Iranian terrorists. It is possible though that some of the violent sectarian groups killing innocent Pakistanis may also be helping the Jaish terrorists. Good sense suggests both countries join hands to deal with the common threat. To that end, the existing bilateral border management mechanism must be made to function effectively and efficiently.

Exchange of hot words will only help the terrorists as also certain third countries who would rather see the two neighbours get at each other's throats. Whatever Tehran's grievance, real or perceived, it needs to sort them out through relevant channels. By the same token, authorities on this side must refrain from playing up any references to alleged Iranian connection with anti-Pakistan intelligence activities, such as those the 'confessional statement' of Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch contained, or the RAW operative Kalbhushan Jadhav's use of Chabahar to gain entry into Balochistan. It must be ensured too that Iran has no cause of concern regarding Pakistan's role in the Riyadh-based anti-terrorism coalition. A focus on increasing trade and commerce and people-to-people contacts is also needed to bolster traditional warm Pak-Iran relations. The last thing Pakistan needs is yet another hostile neighbour.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017