TEHRAN – In a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province, six individuals, including a local commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), were killed.

The attacks occurred near the volatile border region shared with Pakistan, an area often plagued by violence from terrorist groups and drug smugglers.

Mojib Hassani, the governor of Nikshahr County, reported that on Tuesday morning, four individuals were gunned down by armed terrorists in the Bent district as they were returning from a charity event held at a local school. 

Among the victims were Abdollah Kadkhodaei, the IRGC commander of the Bent district, Yousef Shirani, head of the Bent Municipal Council, and two conscripts, Javad Sadati and Mojib Baluchi.

In a separate incident, two police officers were killed in Khash County when terrorists ambushed their vehicle, riddling it with bullets as they traveled along a rural road.

In response to these attacks, Iran’s Minister of Interior, Eskandar Momeni, instructed the Security Deputy, Brigadier General Pourjamshidian, and the Governor of Sistan and Baluchestan, Mohammad Karimi, to launch an immediate investigation. They were also ordered to take decisive action against those responsible. The Interior Ministry emphasized the importance of identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice as swiftly as possible.

The region, which shares a porous border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been a hotspot for clashes between Iranian security forces and foreign-backed terrorist groups, particularly Takfiri militants. Over the years, the IRGC and local police forces have been successful in repelling most cross-border attacks.

The Jaish al-Adl terrorist group, which operates from bases inside Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for several violent assaults targeting both civilians and Iranian security forces in recent years, contributing to ongoing instability in the province.