Iran: 3 terrorist cells discovered in Sistan-Baluchistan

Fars News writing in Persian reports the discovery of 3 terrorist "teams" operating in the border region of Iran and Pakistan. This discovery led to the arrests of ten individuals and the confiscation of various arms.

Iranian authorities argue that these terrorists were trained in tactics and explosives outside of Iran and crossed over the border from Pakistan to commit attacks against security personnel. Iran has hinted that these militants are being trained and armed in Pakistan, and point to that country's own security problems and porous border for enabling the operations of these groups.

Iran did not identify these militants as members of Jondallah, nor did it directly blame that terrorist organization. These militants appear to be part of the larger Baluchi separatist movement, but it's not clear whether they represent a new organization or not. Jondallah has not commented on these arrests and it is possible that their fighters have begun operating as satellite cells as a way of scattering Iran's efforts, which have so far been concentrated on Abdul-Malek Rigi's movement.

The previously unknown Jihadi Movement of the Sunna People of Iran, which claimed responsibility for the Shiraz mosque bombing, also suggests a diversifying (at least in name) of the Baluchi separatist movement in Iran.

The increase in Baluchi militant activities in Iran over recent months may also be a sign that Baluchi groups are benefiting from the resurgent Pashtun Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The emboldened Taliban and similar Pashtun militias have drawn the attention of allied forces and Pakistan's military away from other areas as each has concentrated on combating these groups.

With Pakistan's energy focused on tribal areas of the Pashtun northwest, the Baluchi separatist movement in the country's southwest may be the unintended beneficiary of a looser security environment.