SISTAN (Baluchistan): Rebel Sunni Baluch group Jaish al-Adl launched simultaneous attacks against military posts in Sistan on Thursday (4th April, 2024) killing eleven Irani troopers.
State media in Iran say 16 gunmen and 11 security force members have been killed in fighting in the southeast of the country.
General Mohammad Pakpour, who heads the Guards’ land forces, said that 16 attackers were killed during clashes with security forces.
Mirahmadi said more than 10 security force members were hurt during the clashes that began Wednesday (3rd April, 2024) evening.
The Jaish al-Adl (Justice Army) claimed the attacks on its Telegram channel. Formed in 2012, the organisation is listed as a “terrorist” group by Iran and also by the United States.
Jaish al-Adl claimed an attack in December that killed 11 officers, one of the deadliest attacks in years, at a police station in Sistan-Baluchistan’s city of Rask.
The group claimed another police station attack in Rask that killed one officer on 10th day of January, 2024.
A week later, Iran said it retaliated with missiles and drones against Jaish al-Adl over the border in Pakistan that then carried out retaliatory air strikes against “hideouts used by terrorist organisations”.
The rare cross-border fire added to regional tensions during the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip, but by late January the two countries sought to ease tensions.
Impoverished Sistan-Baluchistan province, which also borders Afghanistan, is one of the few mainly Sunni provinces in Shia-dominated Iran.
Pakistan unequivocally condemned the heinous and dastardly terrorist attacks at police and security installations in the cities of Rask and Chabahar in Iran.
FO stated: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the recovery of the injured. Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the people and Government of Iran in fighting terrorism.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is deeply concerned about the growing acts of terrorism in our region. It is a regional and global threat that requires resolute response.”
Newspakistan.tv