Islamabad, Nov 15 (IANS): Fifteen bullet-riddled bodies were discovered by the security forces in Balochistan's Kech district in Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said.

A senior administration officer told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the Balochistan Levies found the bodies in the Gorak area of Tehsil Buleda. "All the victims received multiple bullets from a close range," he said.

The victims appeared to belong to various districts of Punjab province.

Upon discovery of the bodies, Levies and Frontier Corps personnel reached the area and the bodies were shifted to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Turbat.

It was yet to be ascertained whether the victims were labourers or illegal immigrants trying to enter Iran on their way to Europe, the officer said.

A large number of people from Punjab and other parts of Pakistan attempt to sneak into Iran illegally on their way to Greece and other European countries in search of greener pastures.