An Iranian Revolutionary Guards general and a pilot were killed in a helicopter crash during combat operations near Iran’s southeastern border.
According to a statement from the IRGC on Monday, General Hamid Mazandarani, commander of the Neynava Brigade in Golestan Province, and pilot Hamed Jandaghi lost their lives when their helicopter crashed in the Sirkand area of Sistan and Baluchistan Province.
The incident involved an IRGC gyroplane, a light aircraft, which went down during border region combat operations. The IRGC did not provide details on the mission or the cause of the crash.
Since October 26, Iran’s armed forces have been conducting an operation in the Sirkand area of Sistan and Baluchistan following an attack that killed 10 police officers, which was claimed by Sunni Muslim militants.
Iranian media reported that the operation has resulted in the deaths of several militants and the arrest of others. Sistan-Baluchistan, a border province with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is one of Iran’s most economically challenged regions.
