An Iranian general and a pilot lost their lives in a helicopter crash while conducting an anti-terrorism operation in the volatile southeastern region of Iran, state media reported on Monday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helicopter, described as an “ultra-light gyroplane,” experienced an accident while engaged in combat operations in a border area, according to the IRNA news agency.
According to AFP, the incident occurred in Sirkan, a city located in Sistan-Baluchistan province.
The deceased were identified as General Hamid Mazandarani, who commanded the Nineveh Brigade of Golestan province, and pilot Hamed Jandaghi of the IRGC ground forces.
Iran’s military has been actively conducting operations in the region since October 26, following an attack that resulted in the deaths of 10 police officers, a crime attributed to Sunni Muslim militants.
Reports indicate that Iranian forces have killed several militants and detained others during their ongoing campaign.
Sistan-Baluchistan shares borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan and is recognized as one of Iran’s most impoverished provinces.
The area is home to a significant population of the Baluch ethnic minority, which is spread across Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and predominantly practices Sunni Islam, contrasting with the country’s majority Shiite population.
The province has witnessed ongoing conflicts involving Iranian security forces, Baluch rebels, radical Sunni groups, and drug traffickers.
Helicopter crashes are uncommon in Iran; however, a tragic incident in May resulted in the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi when his 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.