Several top commanders in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards killed in suicide attack

Iranian state media say at least 20 people have died in the attack, in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan, and dozens more injured.

The commanders were in Pishin region for a meeting with tribal leaders.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was condemned by Iran's Parliamentary Speaker.

Iran has previously accused a Sunni resistance group, Jundallah, of terrorist activities in the province.

Sistan-Baluchistan is mainly made up of the Baluchi ethnic group, who belong to the Sunni Muslim minority of Shia-ruled Iran.

'Terrorist' attack

The deputy commander of the Guards' ground force, General Noor Ali Shooshtari, and the Guards' chief provincial commander, Rajab Ali Mohammadzadeh, were among the dead, Irna state news agency reported.

Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, speaking at an open session of parliament which was broadcast live of state radio, said: "We express our condolences for their martyrdom.

"The intention of the terrorists was definitely to disrupt security in Sistan-Baluchistan Province."

Within hours of the attack, the Guards accused "foreign elements" - usually used to refer to the US - for the attack.

"Surely foreign elements, particularly those linked to the global arrogance, were involved in this attack," a Guards statement quoted by state television said.

Sistan-Baluchistan province, which borders both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been affected by smuggling, drug trafficking, banditry and kidnapping.

Jundallah, also known as the Popular Resistance Movement of Iran, says it is fighting against the political and religious oppression of the country's Sunni minority.

In May, three men were executed for their role in a bombing of a mosque during evening prayers which killed at least 19 people in the south-east city of Zahedan in Sistan-Baluchistan.

The hangings came two days after the attack and the men were in custody on other charges at the time of the bombing.

Revolutionary Guards were among 11 people killed in an attack in 2007 in Zahedan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8312964.stm

Pakistan media report: 60 Iranian soldiers killed in suicide attack: report

Sunday, October 18, 2009

TEHRAN: 60 Iranian soldiers including several senior officers in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps were killed in a suicide attack early Sunday in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

"In this terrorist act, General Nur-Ali Shushtari, deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards land army, General Mohammad-Zadeh, commander of the Revolutionary Guards in Sistan-Baluchestan province, the Guards' commander for the town of Iranshahr and the commander of the Amir al-Momenin unit died," the sources reported.

It was the biggest strike in recent years on the Revolutionary Guards.

Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani confirmed the officers' death in an announcement to parliament that was broadcast on television.

Iran has previously accused shadowy Sunni group Jundallah of launching regular attacks in the province, which borders both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Jundallah is strongly opposed to the government of predominantly Shiite Iran.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=89390