An attack on an Iranian police convoy in the restive southern province of Sistan and Baluchestan has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 10 officers. The incident took place in Gohar Kuh, located approximately 1,200 kilometers southeast of Tehran, the capital of Iran.
Details surrounding the attack remain limited, with initial reports referring to the assailants as 'miscreants.' However, subsequent information from Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of 10 officers in the assault.
Photos and videos shared by HalVash, an advocacy group for the Baluch people of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, depicted a disabled truck bearing the distinctive green stripe used by Iranian police vehicles. One particularly distressing image showed what appeared to be the bodies of two police officers inside the truck.
The attack seemed to target two security force vehicles, resulting in the fatalities of all individuals onboard. The truck displayed bullet damage, suggesting firearms were used rather than explosives.
Following the incident, Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, ordered an investigation into the attack, which he described as leading to the 'martyrdom of a number of police officers.'
No specific suspects have been identified in connection with the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility. The assault occurred shortly after a significant Israeli offensive against Iran earlier on the same day.
Sistan and Baluchestan province has been plagued by violence, including a prolonged low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists. The region, known for its involvement in heroin trafficking, has historically faced challenges in verifying information due to ongoing unrest.
The province's underdevelopment, coupled with strained relations between its predominantly Sunni Muslim residents and Iran's Shiite theocracy, has contributed to a history of hit-and-run attacks by militants. Groups like Jaish al-Adl have been responsible for sporadic assaults that target security officials.
While such attacks typically result in a few casualties, past incidents have seen larger-scale violence. In recent years, mass casualty events have occurred, including an attack in April that claimed 10 lives and another in December that resulted in 11 deaths.
Furthermore, reports of Afghan migrants allegedly being killed by Iranian security forces in the region have raised concerns and may impact relations between the two nations. The Taliban has stated that they are investigating these claims, adding to the complexity of the situation.
