At least ten members of law enforcement lost their lives on Saturday in a 'terrorist' attack in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan, reported the Iranian Police. The Iranian Police command stated in a statement that the forces, composed of recruits and police officers, were ambushed by 'terrorists' while returning to their station after a mission to provide security for the residents of Taftan County.
Sistan-Baluchistan is one of the poorest regions in Iran and is home to a significant population of the Baluchi ethnic minority, who practice Sunni Islam, in contrast to the predominant Shia branch in the Islamic Republic. In this area, regular clashes occur between Iranian security forces and Baluchi ethnic minority rebels, as well as radical Sunni groups and drug traffickers.
In early October, at least six people, including police officers, lost their lives in two separate attacks in this area. The Sunni jihadist group Jaish al Adl (Army of Justice in Arabic), based in Pakistan and active in southeastern Iran, claimed responsibility for both attacks.
--- Quote: "The forces, composed of recruits and police officers, were ambushed by 'terrorists' while returning to their station after a mission to provide security services to the residents of Taftan County."
