This file picture shows members of Iran’s volunteer Basij forces during a military training. (Photo by Tasnim news agency)

Two members of Iran’s volunteer Basij forces have been killed in clashes with terrorists in the country’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

Ali Akbar Safavi, commander of Basij forces in Nikshahr county of the province, said the two engaged in an exchange of gunfire with terrorists on the outskirts of Hichan village on Friday evening, and lost their lives.

He identified the fallen Basij members as Khodabakhsh Gharib and Moslem Darzadeh.

The development came nearly a week after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had destroyed an armed gang in Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan.

The IRGC Ground Force’s Quds Base announced in a statement on May 4 that its forces had ambushed members of the terrorist gang in the province, killing two of them and arresting another.

The band, the statement added, had acts of mischief, kidnappings and murder on its record.

During the operation, a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials were also confiscated.

Sistan and Baluchestan - which borders Pakistan - has seen several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years.

Iranian forces have repeatedly dismantled terror groups in the province, foiling their planned attacks and confiscating weapons and ammunition in the course of their security operations.

Iran has been a victim of terrorism and international organized crimes, and a pioneer in the fight against them.

More than 17,160 Iranian citizens, including senior officials and nuclear scientists, have been killed by terrorists in recent decades.