TEHRAN – Iranian security forces have dealt significant losses to terrorist groups operating in the volatile southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Swift and coordinated operations by the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA), in collaboration with intelligence and security units, have eliminated key perpetrators of recent deadly attacks against law enforcement and innocent civilians.

FARAJA spokesman General Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi announced the successful conclusion of Wednesday's operation, which resulted in the elimination of eight terrorists directly responsible for the August 22 ambush that claimed the lives of five police officers in the Daman District of Iranshahr County. The terrorists, who had targeted police patrol units, were found to be in possession of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, evidence of their ongoing efforts to destabilize the region.

Adding to the successes, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) reported conducting three anti-terror operations, coordinated with the Intelligence Ministry, across Iranshahr, Khash, and Saravan. These operations resulted in the deaths of 13 terrorists and the arrest of numerous others. 

The so-called Jaish al-Adl terror group, notorious for its violent acts, claimed responsibility for the August 22 attack. This same group was behind the horrific July 26 attack on the Sistan and Baluchestan provincial courthouse in Zahedan, where three armed militants mercilessly targeted civilians, resulting in the tragic deaths of six innocent people, including a mother and her six-month-old baby, and leaving 24 others wounded.

The Jaish al-Adl primarily operates near the border with Pakistan with similar terror outfits also targeting people on Pakistani soil. Iran and Pakistan have decided to increase collaboration to eradicate cross-border terrorism. The terrorists are mostly ties to foreign spy agencies, particularly Mossad, according to intelligence reports.