Two Basij forces killed in armed clashes with terrorists in southeastern Iran

TASNIM

Two members of Iran’s volunteer Basij forces were killed in clashes with terrorists in the country’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, said a commander.

Ali Akbar Safavi, commander of Basij forces in Nikshahr county of the province, added the two engaged in an exchange of gunfire with terrorists on the outskirts of Hichan village on Friday evening, and lost their lives, according to Press TV.

He identified the fallen Basij members as Khodabakhsh Gharib and Moslem Darzadeh.

The development came a week after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had destroyed an armed gang in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which borders Pakistan.

The IRGC Ground Force’s Quds Base announced in a statement on May 4 that its forces ambushed members of the terrorist gang in the province, killing two of them and arresting another.

The band, the statement added, had committed acts of mischief, kidnappings and murder on its record.

During the operation, a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials were also confiscated.

Sistan and Baluchestan has seen several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years.

Iranian forces have frequently dismantled terror groups in the province, foiling their planned attacks and confiscating weapons and ammunition in the course of their security operations.

Iran is a victim of terrorism and international organized crimes, and a pioneer in the fight against them.

More than 17,160 Iranian citizens, including senior officials and nuclear scientists, have been killed by terrorists in recent decades.