Five Iranian security officers killed in violent terror attack in Sistan-Baluchistan

At least five members of Iran’s security forces were killed on Sunday in a “terror attack” in Iran’s southeast Sistan-Baluchistan province, an area known for frequent conflict involving drug traffickers, minority Baluchi rebels, and Sunni extremists. The Fars News Agency reported that the attack took place in Saravan county, a region that has seen ongoing security operations aimed at combating rebel activity and criminal groups.

Escalating Violence in Southeast Iran

The Sistan-Baluchistan province, bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan, remains one of Iran’s most volatile regions. It has been a hotspot for conflict, in part due to its demographic makeup as one of the few predominantly Sunni Muslim provinces in Shiite-majority Iran. This instability has allowed drug-smuggling gangs, ethnic Baluchi rebels, and extremist groups to exploit the area, leading to a series of deadly confrontations.

Iranian Authorities Respond with Swift Military Action

Following the attack, security forces stationed nearby were promptly deployed to track down the perpetrators, according to local reports. This incident comes shortly after an October 26 attack in the same region, which claimed the lives of 10 Iranian police officers. The extremist group Jaish al-Adl (Arabic for “Army of Justice”), a Pakistan-based Sunni jihadist organization formed by Baluch separatists, later claimed responsibility for the October assault.

Ongoing Military Operations Lead to Dozens of Arrests and Militant Deaths

Iranian state television reported that Iranian forces have intensified their crackdown in Sistan-Baluchistan since the late October attack. So far, the operation has resulted in the deaths of 15 militants, including three on Sunday. Additionally, authorities have detained more than 30 suspects believed to be connected to the violence. Iranian media reported that some of those responsible for the October attack have already been neutralized in recent operations.

Jaish al-Adl, classified as a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States, continues to be a destabilizing force in the region, contributing to the unrest and violent clashes that have plagued Sistan-Baluchistan for years.