( CNN ) Eight Iranian border guards have been killed in clashes with militants near the border with Pakistan , Iranian state media reported . Three of the militants were killed by Iranian forces in the fighting Monday in the southeastern town of Negur , the state-run news agency IRNA reported . The news agency cited Ali Asghar Mirshekari , the deputy governor of Iran 's Sistan-Baluchestan province , who said the militants crossed into the country from Pakistan . Iranian officials have reportedly asked Pakistani authorities to catch the surviving assailants . A militant group called Jaish al Adal claimed responsibility for the attack , according to Iranian state media and a Twitter account believed to be associated with the organization . According to Pakistani media , Jaish al Adal is an anti-Iranian group that has emerged during recent years in areas of Balochistan , the restive Pakistani province that borders southeastern Iran . The Sunni Muslim group has targeted Shiites and says it aims to thwart Iranian influence in Pakistan , according to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn . Jaish al Adal has also claimed responsibility for attacks on Iranian territory . One of the deadliest was in October 2013 , when 14 Iranian border guards were killed near the city of Saravan . Iranian authorities say that after similar attacks , the militants have fled back into Balochistan . `` Iran has repeatedly criticized its eastern neighbor for failing to rein in the terrorists , '' IRNA said , referring to Pakistan . The Pakistani government condemned Monday 's attack , calling it an `` act of terrorism . '' `` The concerned security agencies of Pakistan are actively investigating this incident , which took place on Iran 's territory , and have asked Iranian authorities to share with us any evidence that they have , '' the government said in a statement Wednesday . If the militants entered Pakistan after the attack , `` they will be apprehended and brought to justice , '' it said .
The Pakistani government says its intelligence agencies are investigating . A group believed to be based in Pakistan 's Balochistan province claimed responsibility .