Iranian police have killed an armed terrorist during a gunfight in Khash City, in southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

The armed clash erupted on Wednesday after police officers received reports from residents about unusual activity near two Peugeot vehicles.

Police officers approached the vehicles, after which the occupants opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire that ended with one armed individual killed and two others fleeing the scene.

Police seized both cars, and recovered a Kalashnikov assault rifle, four magazines and 77 rounds of ammunition, while efforts continued to identify and apprehend the two fugitives.

The latest incident follows a series of counterterrorism operations in the province which has experienced armed attacks targeting security forces and other officials in recent weeks.

On October 12, police announced the dismantling of a terrorist cell linked to recent killings in the province, including the martyrdom of Colonel Nosrat Eftekhari, the provincial police command’s deputy for cultural and social affairs, and the wounding of two other officers.

On October 11, security forces arrested three members of the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group in Chabahar and the nearby Dashtiari County, uncovering a safe house containing an M4 rifle, two Kalashnikovs and ammunition.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry also announced on October 6 that three operational cells linked to a Takfiri terrorist group had been dismantled before they could carry out attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces, with two suspects killed and 10 others arrested.

Two terrorist-takfiri cells dismantled in southeastern Iran: Ministry of intelligence

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says security forces have dismantled two organized terrorist-takfiri cells in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Sistan and Baluchestan, which shares a lengthy border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, has historically been a focal point for foreign intelligence agencies attempting to infiltrate Iran.

Takfiri and separatist factions, frequently funded, armed, and directed by agencies such as Israel's Mossad and the CIA, often attempt to carry out assassinations, bombings, and infrastructure sabotage in the province.

However, in recent years, Iran has greatly fortified its border security and enhanced its domestic intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have repeatedly preempted and neutralized these threats.