Senior IRGC commander killed in clash with gunmen near Iran-Pakistan border - report
Brig.-Gen. Hossein Zarifi, commander of the IRGC's Shahid Sajjad Operational Headquarters, was killed during clashes with gunmen in southeastern Iran.
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander named Brig.-Gen. Hossein Zarifi was killed in clashes with gunmen near Iran's border with Pakistan, according to Iranian media reports. Zarifi, who commanded the Shahid Sajjad Operational Headquarters in Saravan, was killed during the fighting in the Jihadabad area of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
The IRGC Ground Forces Quds Regional Headquarters confirmed the commander's death in a statement carried by Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The clashes took place in an area where an armed cell was believed to be operating. A joint force comprising the IRGC, Intelligence Ministry, and police raided the location, with authorities claiming they had intelligence suggesting the cell planned an attack.
Five members of the armed cell were killed during the exchange of fire, while others were arrested. The identities and affiliations of the gunmen remain unclear, and Iranian authorities described the involved parties as "terrorists" without specifying a particular organization. No group has claimed responsibility for the clash.
The IRGC praised Zarifi for his role in the operation, comparing him to former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The IRGC stated that Zarifi's death would not create a void in their ranks, and operations to defend Iran's borders would continue. Zarifi had served in Sistan and Baluchestan for over a decade.
The province, which is majority Sunni, is known for anti-regime militant attacks, particularly from Balochi separatist movements. The border areas with Afghanistan and Pakistan are frequently used by these militant groups. This clash occurred less than two weeks after another security operation in Saravan on September 12, where Iranian authorities claimed to have killed four alleged militants and three Iranian intelligence and security personnel.
The previous operation was conducted alongside the IRGC, Intelligence Ministry, and provincial police, and resulted in the discovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosives at the group's hideout.
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