Iranian government hangs 16 'rebels' in revenge after 14 of its guards are killed in clashes near border with Pakistan

• 'Rebels' from unspecified group clashed with guards according to source
• Troops have been ambushed by drug smugglers at the border in the past
• Reports from Iran do not mention whether hanged men had a recent trial

By HAYLEY O'KEEFFE

PUBLISHED: 15:14 GMT, 26 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:36 GMT, 26 October 2013

Iranian officials hanged 16 'rebels' in revenge for the deaths of 14 guards in clashes near the border with Pakistan. 

The executions took place on Saturday, hours after the rebels ambushed the border guards near the town of Saravan in southeast Iran.

State TV said that rebels had crossed the border from Pakistan and fled back there after the clash. 

The border is easily accessible which makes the area popular with a number of 'rebel' groups according to Fars Agency.

In the past drug smugglers have ambushed Iranian troops in the mountainous area, which straddles a major transit route linking Afghanistan to Europe and the Persian Gulf. 

Ethnic Baluch armed groups also operate there, but have not been active recently. 

The report does not mention a trial for the hanged men, suggesting that sentenced prisoners had their execution dates moved forward after the clashes.

The state news agency IRNA described the attackers as 'bandits', and said authorities were investigating whether the attackers were drug smugglers or an armed opposition group. 

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477426/Iranian-government-...