On Tuesday, a tragic incident unfolded in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan province as gunmen ambushed a police convoy, resulting in the death of six policemen. Two other officers were wounded in the attack, which took place on a road in the restive southeast region.
According to reports from yjc.ir, a website linked to the state broadcasting company, the militant group Jaish al-Adl has claimed responsibility for the assault. The group is believed to be advocating for greater rights for the ethnic Baluch minority in the area, although it is labeled as a terrorist organization by Iran and other countries.
This recent attack marks the second assault on security forces in as many weeks, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the province. In the previous week, clashes erupted in multiple areas of Sistan and Baluchistan, resulting in the deaths of 10 Iranian troops and 18 militants during the confrontations. Tragically, six more security personnel lost their lives due to injuries sustained in the clashes.
Sistan and Baluchistan, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been a hotspot for violent incidents involving militants, armed drug smugglers, and Iranian security forces. The province has witnessed previous deadly attacks, including an assault in December where nearly a dozen police officers were killed in an attack on a police station.
Notably, Sistan and Baluchistan is considered one of the least developed regions in Iran, with longstanding tensions between the predominantly Sunni Muslim residents and the Shiite theocracy of Iran. These underlying tensions have contributed to a complex and volatile security environment in the province.
