TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A group that is said to be linked to al-Qaida has reportedly claimed responsibility for bombing an Iranian Revolutionary Guards bus Wednesday.
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said a group calling itself "Jundollah -- led by the notorious gang leader Abdul Malik Rigi -- claimed responsibility a few minutes ago for the terrorist act."
The official Islamic Republic News Agency said at least 11 Revolutionary Guard staff members were killed 31 others injured in a bomb explosion targeting their bus in the city of Zahedan in southeastern Iran near the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. Clashes between security forces and drug traffickers often clash in this area.
Iran has previously linked Jundollah (Soldiers of God) to al-Qaida. Fars News Agency said the group "is well-known in Iran for other terrorist attacks it carried out in Sistan-Baluchistan province," a predominantly Sunni area in the overwhelmingly Shiite country.
Earlier, IRNA quoted an official source as claiming the attack was carried out by a group that receives support from the United States.
Officials said five terrorists suspected of involvement in the bombing were arrested.
