Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday that its forces killed more than a dozen militants in the restive southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
According to a statement broadcast by state-run Press TV, the IRGC’s Quds Base said its fighters carried out three coordinated operations at dawn in the cities of Iranshahr, Khash, and Saravan. The military said 13 militants were killed in the clashes, while several others were arrested.
The statement did not disclose the militant group’s identity, nor did it provide details on whether Iranian security forces suffered casualties during the raids.
Sistan and Baluchestan, which shares borders with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been regarded as a hotspot for armed groups, drug traffickers, and separatist movements. The province, home to Iran’s Sunni Baluch minority, has witnessed recurring violence and insurgent attacks against both security personnel and civilians.
The IRGC’s announcement comes days after Iranian state television reported that five police officers were killed in an armed assault in the same province. While no faction claimed responsibility for that incident, authorities often blame Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) — a Sunni militant group that has conducted deadly attacks on Iranian military convoys, police stations, and civilian targets in recent years. Tehran classifies Jaish al-Adl as a terrorist organization.
Iran has repeatedly accused hostile regional actors of supporting such groups to destabilize its eastern border regions. Officials argue that the rugged terrain and porous frontiers with Pakistan and Afghanistan provide safe havens for militant networks.
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Security experts note that the IRGC has intensified its counterinsurgency efforts in recent months as part of a broader crackdown on groups it considers a threat to national stability. The joint dawn operations highlight Tehran’s determination to maintain control over Sistan and Baluchestan amid mounting security challenges.
While the death of 13 militants marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, analysts warn that the province remains volatile, with militant attacks expected to continue.
For now, the IRGC has framed the operations as a successful blow against insurgents, reinforcing its message that armed resistance in the region will be met with force.