TEHRAN — Iranian security forces killed at least five members of a terrorist group in a joint counterterrorism operation in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday.
The Quds Base of the IRGC Ground Force said the operation targeted a “professional terrorist team” that was planning targeted killings in Saravan County. The group was identified and dealt a “decisive blow” at dawn in a joint operation involving the IRGC, the General Intelligence Directorate and the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA).
The statement said four terrorists were killed and weapons, ammunition and explosives were discovered at the group’s hideout. It later said at least five members of the group had been killed.
Three Iranian intelligence personnel were also killed during the operation, which ended at around 3 p.m. local time (1130 GMT), the statement said.
“The United States and the notorious Zionist regime, which have both suffered a major defeat on the military front, have instructed terrorist groups to make up for their failures through fostering insecurity in Sistan and Baluchestan Province,” the IRGC Quds Base said.
The operation came days after terrorists martyred two local members of the Basij volunteer force in
 an attack on their vehicle in southeastern Iran.
Ali Khalilabadi, deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan for security and law enforcement affairs, said the “cowardly attack” took place as a vehicle carrying logistics came under attack in Zahedan County.
The victims were identified as Kayvan Ramroudi and Abolfazl Oudi, who “bravely held their position” before being killed, Khalilabadi said. He added that further information about the incident and the identities of the attackers would be released by the relevant authorities in due time.
The IRGC Quds Base praised the support and patience of local residents and said the security of Sistan and Baluchestan is a “red line.” It said its forces are closely monitoring the region for any movement by terrorist groups and would respond firmly at the appropriate time.
The Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl terrorist group has been involved in numerous attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan.