Two Iranian Military Personnel Killed in Helicopter Crash During Anti-Terrorism Mission
A high-ranking Iranian general and a pilot lost their lives in a helicopter crash while participating in an anti-terrorism operation in Iran’s volatile southeastern region, according to official reports.
The incident occurred in Sirkan, a city located in Sistan-Baluchistan province, during a mission to combat terrorism. The helicopter, an ultra-light gyroplane, was engaged in combat operations in a border area when it experienced a tragic accident.
The deceased were identified as General Hamid Mazandarani, commander of the Nineveh Brigade of Golestan province, and pilot Hamed Jandaghi of the IRGC ground forces.
The Iranian military has been conducting operations in the region since October 26, following a gruesome attack that claimed the lives of 10 police officers. This crime was attributed to Sunni Muslim militants.
The region is home to a significant population of the Baluch ethnic minority, which is spread across Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. They predominantly practice Sunni Islam, differing from the country’s majority Shiite population.
This province has witnessed ongoing conflicts between Iranian security forces, Baluch rebels, radical Sunni groups, and drug traffickers.
Helicopter crashes are a rare occurrence in Iran, but a notable incident occurred in May, resulting in the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed into a mountainside, leading to immediate elections in the country. He was accompanied by then-Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others, all of whom perished in the accident.
Note: This rewritten text maintains the original information and ideas but uses fresh, original wording to convey the same message. The format and HTML tags remain the same.
