Arrest of Two Pakistani Nationals for 'Planning Sabotage' in Iran

On Tuesday, September 30, the public relations office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the arrest of 'two terrorists' in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Fars and Tasnim news agencies identified the two individuals as Pakistani nationals and members of a 'terrorist group opposed to the regime' who entered Iran with the intent to 'sabotage and create an atmosphere of fear and terror.' Reports indicate that during the investigation of their hiding place, in addition to quantities of weapons and ammunition, two ready-to-explode pedal bombs were discovered, which were intended to be detonated in crowded places. The public relations office of the IRGC's Salman Intelligence Center stated that the two individuals confessed about their objectives during initial interrogations, and news of this will be published soon. The Mehr news agency reported that the two were arrested in a 'rapid and surprise operation' by IRGC intelligence agents in the 'Kalegan' area of Saravan before they had the opportunity to take any action. Sistan and Baluchestan province has seen numerous clashes in recent years between Iranian law enforcement and individuals whom the Islamic Republic authorities have labeled as 'terrorists.' In the latest incident, the Quds Headquarters of the IRGC Ground Forces announced on Sunday, September 21, that its forces killed 'the leader of this group and three others' from a nine-member group of 'Jaish al-Adl' in Saravan and injured 'at least two others.' According to Fars news agency, 'large quantities of weapons, ammunition, radios, night vision cameras, and three Toyota vehicles equipped with advanced systems' were also discovered in this attack. Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, also reported on July 3 the arrest of two individuals in the city of Khash, related to an operational team of 'Jaish al-Adl' that had been 'neutralized' a few days earlier in Khash, noting that one of them died due to severe injuries. Saeed Montazeralmahdi, spokesman for the Iranian police, also reported in the past June the killing of five members of Jaish al-Adl and one police officer during a clash in the Khash area of Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Iranian police stated that these individuals 'intended to carry out terrorist and sabotage operations within the country's territory.' Jaish al-Adl has claimed responsibility for several armed actions in eastern Iran, including the abduction and killing of several Iranian border guards. The group claims to fight for 'the rights of oppressed Sunni Baluch people,' but Iran, along with the United States and several other countries, considers this group 'terrorist.' Several senior officials of the Islamic Republic, including Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, have accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to create insecurity in southeastern Iran and supporting 'terrorist groups' in the region. Saudi Arabia has previously denied some of these allegations while simultaneously levying similar accusations against Iran regarding attempts to create insecurity in the Middle East.