Iranupdated 1h ago2 min read
MapIran Arrests 19 Suspected Spies, Dismantles Four Terrorist Cells in Sistan And Baluchestan
4 West Asian1 AsianMap: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
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Iran dismantled four terrorist cells in Sistan and Baluchestan, arresting 16 members. Nineteen people were arrested, including three operatives gathering and transmitting information to the enemy.
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Arrests in Sistan and Baluchestan
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced the arrest of 19 people suspected of spying for the country’s enemies in the south-eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, including 16 alleged members of four terrorist cells. The ministry said its agents identified and dismantled four cells affiliated with what it described as the “US-Israeli enemy” in counties in the central and southern parts of the province. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry also said some of the 16 detainees had arrived from abroad and that several were involved in the killing of personnel of Iran’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) in Iranshahr County.
Security forces seized weapons and ammunition from the suspects, including nine Kalashnikov rifles, two US-made M4 rifles and seven handguns, along with ammunition. The ministry said the detainees were handed over to the judicial authorities after arrest.
Public tips and surveillance
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said the arrests were made with the help of tip-offs from the public, ongoing intelligence and operational surveillance, and cooperation with other security forces. Iran’s Intelligence Department of Sistan and Baluchestan said its forces, aided by public reports, continuous intelligence and operational monitoring and cooperation with other security bodies, identified the four cells in districts across central and southern Sistan and Baluchestan. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry described a separate operation in which it arrested three people accused of gathering and transmitting information about the locations of military bases and defence and security facilities in the southern part of the province.
Iran’s Intelligence Department said the three people were identified and arrested while gathering and sending information on the locations of defense and security facilities in the south of the province. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry thanked members of the public for providing information and urged them to report suspicious activities to its hotline or through its official accounts on the Eitaa, Bale, Rubika and Soroush Plus messaging platforms.
Weapons seized, judicial handover
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said weapons seized from the suspects included nine Kalashnikov rifles, two US-made M4 rifles and seven handguns, along with ammunition. Iran’s Intelligence Department said security forces seized weapons and combat ammunition from the arrested terrorists, including nine Kalashnikov rifles, two US-made M4 rifles and seven pistols with related ammunition. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said the detainees were handed over to the judicial authorities, and it described the arrests as part of dismantling cells affiliated with the “US-Israeli enemy” in Sistan and Baluchestan.
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry also said some of the arrested terrorists were involved in the killing of personnel of Iran’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) in Iranshahr County. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry described the operation as targeting an “enemy’s US-Israeli espionage and media network,” after it arrested three people accused of gathering and transmitting information about the locations of military bases and defence and security facilities.