Iranian security forces launched a major counter-terrorism operation in the volatile Sistan-Baluchistan province, killing six militants and arresting two others, according to state media reports on Saturday. The militants were described as members of a “terrorist group linked to Israel,” raising alarm over external interference in the country’s eastern borderlands.
The clash erupted during what officials called an “intense exchange of fire” with the armed group. The detained militants, according to the Intelligence Ministry, were part of the “main operation team” that included seven non-Iranian assailants, though their exact nationalities remain undisclosed.
Iranian Forces Suffer Casualties
The battle came at a cost for Iran’s security establishment. State-run IRNA reported that two intelligence agents and a police officer were injured during the raid. The militants, officials claimed, were planning to strike a “vital facility” in eastern Iran, though details of the target were withheld for security reasons.
Documents allegedly retrieved from the group’s possession pointed to its “Zionist nature,” reinforcing Tehran’s claim that Israel-linked operatives were orchestrating destabilization campaigns inside Iran.
Weapons Cache Seized
A report from Tasnim news agency revealed that Iranian forces dismantled the cell and confiscated a significant arsenal, including:
- Laser-guided RPG-7s
- American-made M4 and M16 rifles
- Hand grenades and launchers
- Explosive vests and RPG charges
- Vehicles, motorcycles, and handheld radios
Officials said the group had undergone specialized military training, mirroring methods previously attributed to Israel’s Mossad intelligence service. Past encounters with such groups, Tehran claims, have revealed strikingly similar tactics and weapons.
Tensions in Sistan-Baluchistan
The southeastern province, which shares borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been a hotspot of armed violence, drug trafficking, and separatist activity. Security forces in the region frequently come under attack from militants, while Tehran accuses foreign powers of exploiting unrest to weaken Iran internally.
On Friday, the Sunni jihadist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) claimed responsibility for an assault that killed five police officers in the province, underscoring the region’s instability.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister In Dhaka: Could This Mark A New Era In Bilateral Ties?
Regional Implications
Iran’s intelligence services maintain that such operations are critical to thwarting cross-border terrorism and foreign-backed plots. Analysts believe the latest raid highlights the country’s fragile security dynamics, with militant groups leveraging rugged terrain and porous borders to stage high-impact strikes.
As the investigation deepens, Tehran is expected to intensify crackdowns in the province to dismantle what it calls “foreign-directed” militant cells.
