Iranian security forces clash with armed group in Sistan and Baluchestan

Iranian security forces clashed with a foreign-backed armed group in the Bakhshan District of Saravan County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, according to a report by Mehr News. Video footage released by the outlet shows the confrontation between Iranian forces and the armed team.

The report described the group as a "foreign-backed terrorist team," a term Iranian authorities frequently use for armed organizations operating in the border region. Saravan County, located in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, shares a border with Pakistan and has seen repeated security incidents in recent years.

The Mehr News report did not specify the exact date of the clashes, the number of casualties, or the identity of the armed group involved. It also did not provide details on the outcome of the operation beyond describing it as a "heavy blow" to the team.

Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran's second-largest province, has long been the site of clashes involving Iranian security forces, armed groups, and cross-border smuggling networks. The province is home to a predominantly Sunni Baluch population, and Iranian officials have repeatedly accused foreign actors of supporting militant groups there.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have reported multiple operations against armed groups in the region, often describing them as linked to foreign intelligence services. The border area with Pakistan has been a particular focus of security operations, with both countries occasionally exchanging accusations over cross-border militancy.

The Mehr News report did not include any statement from Iranian military or security officials beyond the description of the operation. It also did not indicate whether any Iranian personnel were killed or injured in the clashes.

According to Mehr News, the video footage shows the clashes between Iranian security forces and the foreign-backed team in Saravan County's Bakhshan District. The report provided no further details on the timing or the aftermath of the operation.