IRANSHAR – Five police officers were killed in southeastern Iran after their patrol units came under heavy fire in an ambush in Sistan-Baluchestan province, officials confirmed on Friday. The assault, which took place near the city of Iranshahr, has been described by authorities as a “terrorist attack” aimed at destabilizing one of the country’s most volatile regions.
According to police reports, two patrol teams were conducting routine security operations when unidentified gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons, killing the officers instantly. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale search operation to pursue the attackers. Investigators said the ambush bore the hallmarks of militant groups that have previously carried out similar attacks in the region.
While no organization immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion has fallen on insurgent outfits such as Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group accused of targeting Iranian security forces in recent years. The group has been active in the border areas with Pakistan, exploiting the difficult terrain to stage cross-border raids and ambushes against Iranian military and police personnel.
Sistan-Baluchestan, which shares borders with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been a flashpoint for violence. The province is home to a significant Sunni Baloch minority that has frequently complained of discrimination and economic marginalization. The combination of ethnic tensions, poverty, drug trafficking, and militant activity has made the province one of Iran’s most unstable regions.
The deadly attack comes at a time when Iran is attempting to strengthen security along its southeastern borders. Authorities have vowed a strong response and pledged that those responsible will be brought to justice. Analysts warn, however, that the cycle of violence in Sistan-Baluchestan is likely to persist unless deeper political and socio-economic grievances are addressed.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.