TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force announced Thursday that it had dismantled a two-member team of the PJAK separatist group attempting to infiltrate Iran’s northwestern border to carry out sabotage and terrorist operations, according to the IRGC’s Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base.
The statement said the two terrorists intended to cross into Iran but were ambushed and killed by IRGC forces in the mountainous border areas of Sardasht County, West Azerbaijan Province. 
The operation was launched based on intelligence gathered by the border regiment in the province. After the clash, IRGC forces recovered the bodies along with various weapons, equipment, and a Starlink satellite internet terminal.
The Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base warned that any attempt to undermine security along Iran’s northwestern borders would meet a decisive response that would make those responsible regret their actions. 
PJAK is designated as a terrorist organization by Iran and is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has carried out attacks on Iranian border guards and civilians for more than two decades.
Iran has been fighting terrorist groups operating near its border regions, especially those based in Kurdistan, in recent years.
The country has signed a security pact with the government in neighboring Iraq to have elements of PJAK and other groups pushed away from mountainous regions near its borders.
On Thursday, Iranian Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami said during a visit to an exhibition of downed drones that Iran’s air defense forces have reached new levels of readiness and capability, warning that any aggressor targeting the nation again would face even greater damage. 
He said the displayed large drones, missiles, and enemy equipment were all successfully intercepted by air defense systems.