Security forces smashed a gang of criminals in southeastern Iran. Four of the criminals as well as their ringleader, Hamed Zardkoohi, were killed in an operation by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Sistan and Baluchestan Province on Tuesday, Press TV reported. Armed bank robbery and drug trafficking are among the crimes committed by the ring in the province. The criminals had killed 16 civilians and a police officer in the provincial city of Iranshahr. Sistan and Baluchestan Province has witnessed insecurity on numerous occasions due to the presence and activities of criminal gangs. The insecurity in the province is mainly caused by terror groups that usually cross the border into Iran from neighboring Pakistan.
