Zahedan, Sistan-Balouchestan Prov., May 29, IRNA – A relatively strong bomb rocked local Amir al-Momenin Mosque on Thursday, killing 19 and injuring 125.
 

Zahedan is a city in southeastern Iran and the capital of the province of Sistan o Baluchestan. The city had an estimated population of 580,071 in 2005. Zahedan is located near the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, at an altitude of 1,352 meters above sea level and at a distance of 1,605 kms from the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Governor of Sistan-Balouchestan Province Ali-Mohammad Azad said 80 of the injured are now hospitalized.

Azad said a terrorist group was behind the suicide bombing which occurred during the evening congregational prayers.

He said intelligence forces were quick to identify and arrest the terrorist group behind the incident who were trying to exit borders after the mosque bombing.

He noted that the group were to plant bombs in other parts of Zahedan too but failed due to timely action of the intelligence forces.

"The terrorists and notorious gang planned to stir order and security in the province on the eve of (the June 12 presidential) elections using ongoing insecurity in our eastern neighbors," said Azad, adding that more information on the arrested terrorist group would be unveiled to the public once interrogations are complete.

Three days of public mourning have reportedly been announced in the province following the incident.

... Payvand News - 05/29/09 ... --

Bookmark/Share this post with:
Delicious | Digg | Facebook | Furl | Google | Magnolia | Newsvine | Reddit | Yahoo