Iran: Four suspected terrorists killed in northwest Oct. 25

Event

Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported that four suspected terrorists were shot dead by police on Wednesday night, October 25, during a raid in Chaldoran county, West Azerbaijan province (northwest), near the border with Turkey. Weapons and ammunition were also reportedly seized in the operation. The raid was launched in response to the killing of two civilians in the region earlier in the day, allegedly linked with the suspected terror cell. No group affiliation for the suspected terrorists was given.

Context

Chaldoran county, where clashes frequently break out between Iranian forces and separatist or terrorist groups, is home to ethnic Kurdish and Azeri (a Turkish-speaking minority) communities.

Following the twin terrorist attacks on June 7 that killed 18 people in Tehran, Iran has deployed new security measures to improve its anti-terror operations. Many arrests have since been carried out to apprehend suspected terrorists. Additionally, Islamic State (IS) has repeatedly threatened to carry out attacks in Iran, a Shi'a-Muslim majority country, as it refuses to recognize the sect as a legitimate interpretation of Islam.

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals in Iran are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or objects to the relevant authorities.