Tehran, Oct 26 (IANS) 

Iran hanged 16 "terrorist elements" Saturday in response to a bloody attack on its border with Pakistan, an Iranian news agency said.

Mohammad Marzieh, General Prosecutor of Zahedan city in Sistan and Baluchestan province, told ISNA that the "terrorist elements" were hanged Saturday morning in response to the border attack Friday night which resulted in deaths of many Iranian border guards, reports Xinhua. 

"We had already warned of serious response to any terrorist movement in the province," Marzieh was quoted as saying.

"For sure, last night's terrorist attack in Saravan was carried out by those who serve the foreigners' interests," he added.

Earlier, at least 17 Iranian border guards were killed Friday evening in clashes near the Iran-Pakistan border.