At Least 27 Killed in Suicide Attack on Revolutionary Guards Bus
Quds Force headquarters confirmed 27 people were killed in a suicide attack on a Revolutionary Guards personnel bus, saying the death toll could rise. Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack. Three days of public mourning were declared in Sistan and Baluchestan.
The public relations office of Quds Force Ground Forces issued a statement saying the suicide attack occurred on Wednesday evening, 24 Bahman (February 13), using “a vehicle loaded with explosives near a bus carrying personnel from one of the Quds Force Ground Forces units”.
The statement identified “takfiri terrorists and mercenaries of intelligence services affiliated with the hegemonic system” as responsible for the suicide attack. Quds Force Ground Forces said the bus occupants were heading home after completing a border security mission.
Mehr news agency reported from an informed source: “The personnel shift bus of the Revolutionary Guards in the Chanaeli area of the Khash-Zahedan road exploded as a result of the suicide operation.”
The statement made no mention of the death and injury toll, but media initially reported at least 20 killed. Farsi news agency reported that according to some sources, the bus had 40 passengers. Tasnim news agency reported that according to Revolutionary Guards officials, at least 27 people were killed in the attack.
None of Iran’s official media outlets mentioned the number of injured. Farsi news agency only reported, citing the public relations officer of the Quds Force headquarters in southeast Iran, that the wounded were transferred to Zahedan hospitals.
Hours after the incident, the “Jaish al-Adl” group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying all bus passengers were killed.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the suicide attack in a message. ISNA news agency reported from Bahram Qassemi, spokesman for the ministry: “Certainly, the military and security children of the Iranian nation will avenge the blood of the martyrs of this incident.”
Bahram Qassemi expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, saying: “The resort of this terrorist group, which also receives military, financial and intellectual support from some regional countries, to such inhumane crimes will make the determination of the Iranian nation and government in continuing the fight against terrorism in the region more resolute than ever.”
The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan, condemning the attack, declared three days of public mourning in the province. The “Tabnak” website reported: “It is said that during the attack, in addition to the explosion of the bus, passengers of some passing vehicles also became victims of this terrorist attack.”
Jaish al-Adl’s previous attack on February 4 on a Revolutionary Guards base in Nikshahr city in Sistan and Baluchestan left one dead and five wounded.
Jaish al-Adl was established after the collapse of the “Jundallah” group. Islamic Republic officials call this group “villains and armed terrorists” and accuse Pakistan of providing them with a safe haven.
Source: DW
