Iranian general vows revenge for attack

TEHRAN, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A top Iranian general Monday vowed revenge against organizers of an attack that killed at least 42 in Sarbaz, authorities said.

A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday at a conference between Shiite and Sunni groups in Sarbaz in southeastern Iran. The dead included five senior officials of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the corps ground force promised a "crushing response" against organizers of the attack as Iranians began three days of mourning for the victims, Press TV reported.

The Pakistan-based separatist group Jundallah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was fighting for the rights of Sunni Muslims, Press TV reported Monday.

Pakpour predicted the attack would unite Iranian Shiites and Sunnis. Pakpour's statement came as Iranian leaders stepped up accusations that the United States and Pakistan were linked to Jundallah, which the U.S. State Department has denied, CNN reported Monday.

Iranian investigators alleged they had documents linking Jundallah leader Abdulmalik Rigi to Pakistani and U.S. security forces, CNN reported.