Afghan official says missing laborers may be in Iran

(Associated Press) – An Afghan official says the government is investigating reports that Iran is holding as many as 21 Afghan migrant workers who tried to cross illegally into the country looking for work.

Abdul Rahman Zhawandai, a spokesman for the governor of northwest Farah province, said Iranian border guards reportedly opened fire on migrant workers Friday but by Sunday officials were still trying to sort through contradictory reports from several of the shooting victims.

Brought to a district hospital from the remote border regions, several of the wounded said four of their compatriots were killed and 21 were taken by the border guards, he said.

So far Iran has not responded to requests for information, he said.

Poor Afghans routinely try to enter Iran illegally in search of work as day laborers.

Photo: A protest in Afghanistan against the Iranian regime.