Brother of the Jundallah group Abdolmalek Rigi, who was executed in June, Abdul Rauf Rigi and eight other members of the Jundallah group were arrested in the Turbat province of Pakistan, the Fars news agency reported with reference to the Iranian Sistan-Baluchestan Province military representatives.
Earlier, IRNA news agency reported citing local media outlets that Abdul Rauf Rigi was arrested on Thursday night. According to information, Rigi is acting as the press secretary.
Pakistani officials denied the reports about the terrorist "Jundallah" Group's head Abdul Rauf Rigi's arrest, ILNA news agency reported with reference to Sistan-Baluchestan Province governor.
Then, unidentified sources in Pakistan confirmed the arrest of the head of the Jundullah group. The sources reported that not Abdul Rauf Rigi, but Mohammad Zahir Beluch, was arrested, the IRNA news agency reported citing the Pakistani media.
Jundallah (Army of God) was created in 2003 and operates operates primarily in the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan, which borders Pakistan. Jundallah uses a variety of terrorist tactics, including suicide bombings, ambushes, kidnappings and targeted assassinations. According to Tehran Jundallah connected with the U.S. and UK intelligence services.
The province of Sistan-Baluchestan is mostly populated by Sunnis (followers of the most numerous directions in Islam). The Sunnis are a minority in Shiite Iran.
Abdolmalek Rigi, the former leader of the PRMI, was executed by the Iranian
authorities in June 2010.
Terrorist operations outside the Imam Hossein Mosque in the southeastern city of Chabahar in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province killed people mourning on the martyrdom anniversary of the third Imam of Shiites Dec.15. The death toll has hit 38 people, 50 people have been wounded. Another person died in hospital.