Tehran, Iran, July 7
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
The Islamic Republic Guards Corps (IRGC) demolished an infamous armed group in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
During a series of operations carried out in the early hours of the day, the group, which had carried out numerous killings and other illegal actions, was fully dystroyed, Fars news agency reported July 7.
The group's leader Hamed Zardkoohi, and other four members were killed during the IRGC raid.
The group had committed armed robbery at a bank in the city of Iranshahr, robbed gold shops in the town of Mehrestan, and was vastly involved in drug trafficking. It had also killed sixteen civilians and a police officer.
Sistan and Baluchestan has witnessed many security issues in the past years. Iran blames the situation on Pakistan saying the country's government does not provide ample security inside its borders and gives terrorist groups the opportunity to flourish and extend their activities into the Iranian soil.
An Iranian border guard was killed during an armed confrontation with drug smugglers in Sistan and Baluchestan in late June.
Last year a terrorist group shot dead two soldiers and a teacher in southeastern Iran. Later, Iran said it had disbanded the group.
Edited by CN