Iranian officials say Pakistan has freed a group of Iranians who were kidnapped Sunday near the Pakistani border.

Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, says the 21 captives were freed Monday in a raid by Pakistani security forces.

State media said the Iranians were abducted in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province by gunmen who opened fire on their bus, and then took the captives into Pakistan.

Sunday's kidnapping occurred between the towns of Chabahar and Iranshahr, on a road known for drug smuggling.

Last week, two Belgian tourists were kidnapped by bandits in the same region. One has since been released.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.