Five policemen killed in attack in restive southeast Iran

Iran's southeast has been the scene of sporadic clashes between security forces and armed groups.

At least five policemen were killed in southeastern Iran on Friday after unidentified gunmen opened fire on two police patrol vehicles, Iranian news agencies reported.

Last week, Sunni militants killed one police officer and injured another after they opened fire on a vehicle in the southeastern city of Iranshahr, Iran International reported.

Troubles in Iran's southeast

Jaish ul-Adl militants opened fire on a police vehicle in the middle of the highway, dashboard footage seen by The Jerusalem Post showed.

The officers and the militants exchanged fire before the latter drove away. Jaish ul-Adl later claimed the attack in a statement on its Telegram, Iran International reported.

The police identified the victim as Sgt. Ramin Sadeghi.

Iran's southeast has been the scene of sporadic clashes between security forces and armed groups, including Sunni militants and separatists who say they are fighting for greater rights and autonomy. Tehran accuses some of them of ties to foreign powers and involvement in cross-border smuggling and insurgency.

Jaish ul-Adl previously claimed a July attack on a courthouse in the Sistan-Baluchestan province. Some five people were pronounced dead, and 20 were wounded.