Iranian police forces have shot dead four armed terrorists that waged a deadly attack against a police station in the southeastern city of Zahedan, the capital of the province of Sistan and Baluchestan, killing two police officers.
The armed terrorists had tried to gain entry into the central area of police station Number 16 of Zahedan while disguising themselves as clients, said Provincial Police Chief Doustali Jalilian in a press briefing Saturday evening.
“The terrorists failed … to enter the central area of the police headquarters due to the vigilance of the soldier guarding the main door,” Jalilian added, pointing out that one of the terrorists was instantly killed as he drew his weapon towards police officers.
“The assailants entered the watchtower of the station and started shooting around and clashed with the security and law enforcement forces,” he further noted.
Jalilian also announced that Command Sergeant Major Alireza Keikha and Private Mobin Rashidi were martyred during their encounter with the intruding terrorist.
The police official further elaborated that all four assailants were heavily armed and that four machine guns, seven grenades and some suicide vests were confiscated in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.
In a statement, the so-called Jaish ul-Adl separatist terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Top rights official raps silence on terrorist attack
Meanwhile, secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, Kazem Gharibabadi, slammed the “deafening silence” of the self-proclaimed advocates of human rights on the terrorist attack.
Terrorists martyred two Iranian officers in Zahedan. Where are the so-called champions of human rights? Their silence is deafening! It's time to expose their hypocrisy and demand justice for these fallen heroes. No more support for terrorists, murderers, and criminals! pic.twitter.com/tKOFooZdI6
— Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) July 8, 2023
Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, has witnessed several terrorist attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years.
FM spox deplores ‘cowardly’ attack
In a post on his Twitter account, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani strongly condemned the “cowardly” terrorist attack and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“The enemies of Iran’s security have once again targeted the servants of the nation and the guardians of their security,” he wrote.
Pakistan slams Zahedan terrorist attack
Meanwhile, Pakistan also strongly condemned the Zahedan terror attack, affirming solidarity with the Iranian government and people in the common fight against the scourge of terrorism.
In a statement released on Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.