Iran's Border Guard: A Major Terrorist Disaster Was Prevented in Several Cities

The commander of the Islamic Republic's border guard has reported the 'destruction' of a 'terrorist' group on the Pakistan-Iran border, stating that this group intended to carry out explosive and terrorist actions in 'cities across the country, especially Zahedan, Kerman, and Bam.' According to the state news agency IRNA, Qassem Rezaei, the border guard commander, emphasized on Saturday, July 20, that 'the destruction of this group prevented a major terrorist disaster in several cities of the country.' The border guard commander did not specify the identity of this so-called 'terrorist' group. Mr. Rezaei stated that Iranian border forces, after 'learning of a terrorist group's intention' to enter Iranian territory from the Pakistan border, headed to the mountainous region of the Mirjaveh border in Sistan and Baluchestan province on Friday, July 19, and engaged in a confrontation with this group. The commander of the Islamic Republic's border guard mentioned that 'several' members of this group were killed in the confrontation, and three others were arrested, one of whom is 'injured.' According to Mr. Rezaei, a second lieutenant of the Iranian border guard was also killed in this clash. He noted that during the 'interrogation' of the detained individuals, it was revealed that this group, 'fully equipped with various weapons and explosives,' intended to carry out 'explosive and terrorist actions in cities, especially Zahedan, Kerman, and Bam.' The commander added: 'These individuals intended to rob vehicles by blocking roads and then detonate explosives in public places.' Mr. Rezaei stated that several members of this group 'managed to escape and transfer the bodies of their dead and some weapons and ammunition and explosives into Pakistani territory.' Additionally, according to the Tasnim news agency, Mr. Rezaei asserted: 'We have identified more than 70 criminal groups... and informed Pakistani authorities of their locations; we expect Pakistan to cooperate in this regard.' Sistan and Baluchestan province has witnessed insecurity and numerous clashes between armed groups opposed to the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and police forces in recent years. On the other hand, in recent months, some Iranian officials have accused the Islamic State group or ISIS of attempting 'terrorist actions and creating insecurity in Iran.' For instance, Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, stated on Friday, June 22, that this group has made 'significant efforts to operate and create insecurity' in Iran, including in the country's border areas. Mr. Alavi also reported on June 8 during Friday prayers in Tehran the arrest and death of individuals who, according to him, intended to carry out 'suicide operations during the Quds Day rally in Shiraz and Zahedan' last year.