Iran's Guards detain 15 "terrorists" in southeastern province

On January 16, Iranian security forces arrested 15 individuals described as "terrorists" during a joint operation in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, near the border with Pakistan.

The Quds base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Force announced that the arrests were part of the Security Martyrs operational exercise. The suspects were planning acts of sabotage in the region but were apprehended before they could execute their plans, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

The operation was conducted by Iranian intelligence forces, along with combat and drone units of the IRGC, targeting the suspects in the border areas between Iran and Pakistan.

Authorities also seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition during the operation.

Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which shares a long border with Pakistan, has often witnessed clashes involving armed groups. As an example, in early November 2024, Iranian security and intelligence forces killed four "terrorists" and arrested six others in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. These attacks are attributed to terrorist groups linked to foreign intelligence agencies operating in the country's southeastern and southwestern regions. 

In late November last year, during a counter-terrorism exercise, the IRGC Ground Force announced the elimination of three "terrorists" and the arrest of six more in the same province.

On October 26, 10 members of Iran's law enforcement forces were killed in a "terrorist" attack in Taftan County of Sistan and Baluchestan, according to Iran's police. 

By Khagan Isayev