Three cops killed in separate attacks in Iranian province bordering Pakistan

An Iranian soldier keeps watch from a tower in Milak, southeastern Iran on July 19, 2011. (AFP/File)
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  • One of Iran’s poorest regions, Sistan-Baluchistan has been plagued by unrest due to drug-smuggling gangs, rebels
  • Pakistan-based militant group Jaish Al-Adl has claimed responsibility for several attacks in area in recent months 

TEHRAN: At least three policemen were killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, state media reported Monday.

One of Iran’s poorest regions, Sistan-Baluchistan on the border with Pakistan has long been plagued by unrest involving drug-smuggling gangs, rebels from the Balochi minority and religiously motivated militants. 

“A border guard was killed a few hours ago in a clash with gunmen in Hirmand in Sistan-Baluchistan province,” the official IRNA news agency reported.

A separate attack on law enforcement in the same region Monday left another border guard killed and two others wounded, IRNA said.

The news agency also reported that a member of the police special force was killed in the town of Khash, also in Sistan-Baluchistan.

The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish Al-Adl (Army of Justice) claimed responsibility for the last two attacks in a message on Telegram.

The group has claimed responsibility for several attacks in recent months, including a Sunday raid that killed a policeman in the same region.