Iran terror attack kills 9, injures 20

Press TV, Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:55:34 GMT

Nine people have been killed and 20 injured in a terrorist attack in northwestern Iranian city of Mahabad in West Azarbaijan Province.

"So far, nine people have been killed and 20 others wounded in a terrorist attack in Mahabad city," Governor General of West Azarbaijan Vahid Jalalzadeh told IRNA on Wednesday.

"Women and children are the most who were killed and wounded in the attack," he further explained.

According to Jalalzadeh, the attack took place as people were watching a military parade.

The parade was held by the Iranian Armed Forces on the anniversary of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating the 1980-1988 war imposed by Iraq on Iran. In the parade, Iran's most advanced military power and abilities were showcased.

"Anti-Revolution agents have always carried out such brutal acts to take revenge on the people of Mahabad who are always in the scene," he added.

Meanwhile, managing director of West Azarbaijan governor general's office Ali Nikbakht told IRNA that 11 people, including 10 women and one child, were killed and 50 others wounded in Mahabad bomb attack.

He added that investigations are underway to identify and arrest perpetrators.

No group or person has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.

ASH/SF/HRF

Blast kills at least 9, injures dozens in military parade in NW Iran

TEHRAN, Sept. 22, 2010 (Xinhua) --

A bomb blast in northwestern Iran killed nine people and injured at least 20 others on Wednesday, local media reported.

The explosion happened during a military parade in the northwestern town of Mahabad in West Azarbaijan province.

Governor of West Azarbaijan province Vahid Jalalzadeh told the official IRNA news agency that the nine killed were mostly women and children, adding "anti-Revolution agents have always carried out such brutal acts to take revenge on the people of Mahabad who are always in the scene."

Meanwhile, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported that the explosion during the military parade claimed the lives of 10 people and left 47 injured.

The explosives had been placed in a holdall which went off when people were watching the parade, the report said.

The West Azerbaijan's Political Affairs Director General, Ali Nikbakht, said the how-about of the incident is under investigation, said ISNA.

No group or person has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Iran's West Azerbaijan province witnessed regular armed clashes between Iranian security forces and Kurdish militant parties, in particular Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an anti-Iran Kurdish group linked to Turkey's outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party ( PKK).

The Iranian armed forces staged military parades all throughout the country on Wednesday to mark the start of the Week of Defense, commemorating Iranian sacrifices during the eight-year Iraq-Iran war in the 1980s.

In the parades, Iran's most advanced military power and abilities are usually showcased.

Editor: Pliny