Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says it has dismantled four Takfiri terrorist cells in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, arrested 16 militants and detained three others for passing information on security and defense facilities to US-Israeli espionage networks.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry’s provincial intelligence directorate said its forces, identified the four cells “with the help of reports from the public, continuous intelligence and operational surveillance.”

The directorate described the cells as “affiliated with the American-Zionist enemy” and said several of the 16 people arrested had entered Iran from abroad.

“A number of of the arrested terrorists were responsible for the martyrdom of security personnel in Iranshahr County,” the statement said, adding that they had been handed over to judicial authorities.

Security forces seized nine Kalashnikov rifles, two American-made M4 rifles and seven handguns, along with other corresponding ammunition.

The three other detainees were gathering and transmitting information about security headquarters and defense facilities in southern Sistan and Baluchestan to the “American-Zionist espionage-media network.”

Iran Intelligence Ministry, IRGC neutralize terrorist squads in Sistan and Baluchistan

Two terrorists were killed in direct clashes with Iranian security forces, while 10 members of the imported terrorist teams were arrested.

The latest incident follows a series of counterterrorism operations in the province which has experienced armed attacks targeting security forces and other officials in recent weeks.

On October 27, Iranian security forces arrested several members of the so-called Jaish al-Adl Takfiri terrorist group near Bampur during a pursuit operation. Provincial officials said efforts to clear the area were continuing.

On October 21, police killed an armed individual during a gunfight in Khash County after occupants of two Peugeot vehicles opened fire on officers investigating suspicious activity.

Earlier, on October 11, security forces arrested three terrorists in Chabahar and recovered an M4 rifle, two Kalashnikov rifles and M16 ammunition from a house.

On October 6, the Intelligence Ministry announced that it had dismantled three operational cells in Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces, arresting 10 suspects and killing two others in clashes. Weapons and military ammunition were also seized.