Zahedan terror attack: Intelligence minister vows harsh revenge on mercenaries
Iran’s intelligence minister has condemned the latest deadly terrorist attack in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, vowing the Islamic Republic will give a categorical response to atrocities committed by foreign mercenaries across the country.
Esmail Khatib made the remark on Sunday as he expressed his condolences on the martyrdom of five members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), among them the head of the elite force’s intelligence unit in Sistan and Baluchestan, in a terrorist attack in the provincial capital, Zahedan.
“Terrorist groups linked to global arrogance should know that they will soon witness the results of their heinous acts, riots and assassination of innocent people,” Khatib said in a statement.
“The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and other powerful and determined intelligence, security and law enforcement forces will respond categorically to the mercenaries’ attempts to sow division [among the Iranian people] and their crimes.”
On Friday, terrorists launched armed attacks on several police stations and public places in Zahedan after congregational prayers in the city, killing 19 people and injuring 20 others.
The terrorists also set ablaze a fire engine, an emergency station, and a bank, among other places in the city but their attempts to continue rioting failed following the timely presence of security forces.
In a statement, the so-called Jaish ul-Adl separatist terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.
On Saturday, an informed Iranian intelligence source said two members of the separatist group affiliated with the al-Qaeda terrorists – identified as Abdul-Majid Rigi and Yaser Shah Bakhsh – had been killed in the clashes in the southeastern province.
Chief Commander of the IRGC Major General Hossein Salami has also vowed that his forces will avenge the deaths of the victims of the Zahedan terrorist attack.
Salami said in a statement on Sunday that the IRGC will continue to counter plots hatched by arrogant powers and terrorists affiliated with foreign intelligence agencies in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
