Asia-Pacific

Iranian diplomat kidnapped in 2008 freed

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-30 16:50

TEHRAN - An Iranian diplomat kidnapped in Pakistan in 2008 has been freed by Iranian intelligence agents, Iran's state TV reported on Tuesday.

Heshmatollah Atarzadeh was freed in a complicated intelligence operation and was brought home, state TV reported on its website.

Atarzadeh, Commercial Attache of Iranian Consulate in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on November 13, 2008 while on his way to office from his home in Peshawar. His driver was killed in the attack.

Iran has condemned the kidnapping as an "terrorist act" and urged the Pakistani government to increase its efforts to ensure the release of the Iranian diplomat.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also denounced the kidnapping, saying the Pakistani officials would leave no stone unturned to find the kidnapped Iranian diplomat.

The freedom of Atarzadeh marks the latest success by Iran's intelligence services. Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Pakistan-based Iranian Sunni rebel group Jundallah, was arrested by Iranian agents in February during an operation with the cooperation of Iran's military, security and information ministry forces.