Governor of Khash Reports Arrest of a 10-Person Team for Sabotage at Two Important Security Centers

The governor of Khash in Sistan and Baluchestan province has reported the identification and arrest of members of a "sabotage team" in the city, which, according to him, was attempting to carry out a "terrorist operation" by digging a tunnel to infiltrate "two important military and security centers." Mohammad Akbar Chakerzahi stated on Wednesday, July 30, to the IRNA news agency that the members of this "team" were arrested in a joint operation by intelligence and police forces. He added that this group had dug a tunnel 20 meters deep and 30 meters long inside a residential house using "advanced equipment" and intended to carry out sabotage operations at two important security and military targets. The head of the security council of Khash announced that the arrested members of this group numbered "10" and considered them to be "affiliated with foreigners." This official also reported the seizure of "one remote control," "one mobile phone," "an oxygen cylinder with charger," "a generator," and "a lift device" from this "sabotage team." Other equipment discovered, according to Chakerzahi, included "60 and 70-liter containers," "masks," "work clothes," "jackhammers," and "vinegar" for neutralizing gas present underground. The news of the identification and arrests in Khash comes at a time when Hossein Rahimi, the police commander of Sistan and Baluchestan, had denied reports regarding these arrests. Mr. Rahimi stated that "some opponents of the regime and the nation are trying to spread baseless rumors and promote a sense of insecurity among the people." IRNA also declared reports about identifying members of "a terrorist team that intended to carry out sabotage operations at two security and military centers by digging a tunnel in a residential house in Khash" as a "rumor." The news agency later deleted this report and quoted the head of the Khash security council about the arrest of 10 members of a "sabotage team," publishing images of a house where the tunnel was visible. Khash is located 185 kilometers south of Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan, and has witnessed violent conflicts and unrest for years. In recent weeks, significant reports and news about the arrest of some members of "terrorist" groups in Khash have been published, including the arrest of two individuals related to an operational team of the "Jaish al-Adl" group. The identification and arrest of these individuals were announced by Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Ground Forces of the Revolutionary Guard, on July 3, stating that "these individuals confessed to the extensive dimensions of their crimes and the supportive role of Saudi Arabia and the USA in advancing the goals of this group." Saeed Montazeralmahdi, the spokesperson for the police, also reported on June 24 about a clash between police forces and members of the Jaish al-Adl group, during which five members of this group and one police soldier were killed. On June 21, Mahmoud Alavi, the Minister of Intelligence, reported the arrest of 10 individuals related to "one of the largest terrorist plots of Takfiri Wahhabi groups" in the country. The operational area of the Jaish al-Adl group is typically in Sistan and Baluchestan province, and previous reports have indicated clashes between members of this group and the military forces of the Islamic Republic in this province. This group has claimed responsibility for several armed actions in eastern Iran and the kidnapping and murder of several Iranian border guards.