Iran: tensions on the eastern borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan

Iranian soldiers on maneuver in the province of Sistan and Balochistan, on the border with Pakistan (2006 archive).

AFP PHOTO / FARSNEWS / STR

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1 min

According to the authorities, clashes between the forces of the Revolutionary Guards and "armed bandits" took place in the province of Sistan-Balochistan, located on the border with Pakistan.

Six members of this group of "bandits" and three local Garidens fighters were killed.

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with our correspondent in Tehran,

According to the Revolutionary Guards, the country's elite army, these violent clashes took place during a surprise attack on the hiding place of a group of bandits led by a certain Gholam Shahbaksh, who was killed during this operation.

A week ago, five people including two members of the Guardians were killed in a clash with armed men from the same group.

The province of

, which has a large Sunni minority, is regularly the scene of armed clashes between the police and drug traffickers or Balouche separatist groups or jihadists.

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: in Iran, unstable situation in Balochistan

Armed tensions on Iran's eastern borders 

Tehran has accused Pakistan in the past of supporting separatist groups or allowing them to operate from Pakistani territory.

The province of Sistan Balouchistan borders with Pakistan but also

.

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: Iran and the neighboring countries of Afghanistan are trying to coordinate their position against the Taliban

A few weeks ago clashes had opposed the Taliban to Iranian security forces without causing any casualties.

Some experts fear that the Taliban, who are extremist Sunnis, will help Iranian separatist groups operating in the region.

© RFI

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• Iran

• Afghanistan

• Pakistan