Iran's Military to Conduct Nightly Flights over Southeast Borders
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian commander said the country’s military aircraft are to begin night operations over the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan to counter outlaws and terrorist groups.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency on Thursday, Ali Khalili, lieutenant commander of Southeast Quds Base for coordination, said the aerial military operations are planned to further restrict the activities of terrorist groups at the border areas.
“As of now, the night flights will be carried out continuously for broader control and dominance over Sistan and Baluchestan Province’s borders,” he noted.
The decision for aerial operations seems to have been made after the death of four Iranian police officers in attacks by terrorist groups in the eastern town of Saravan earlier this month.
A car bomb attack on a police station in the border city left one police officer dead and three others injured on October 9. The attack came a day after three other police forces were killed in a separate terrorist attack in the city.
The Jaish-ul-Adl terrorist group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks.
The Pakistani-based group has already carried out terrorist activities in the area.
Back in February, the terrorist group abducted five Iranian border guards in Jakigour region in Sistan and Balouchestan Province and took them to Pakistan.
Later on April 6 and following special diplomatic efforts by the Iranian officials, four of the five abductees were released and returned home after being held hostage for two months. The fate of the fifth soldier is still unknown.
