Iran's Ahmadinejad links Sunday's "terrorist attack" to foreign-bound criminals

TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that the "terrorist attack" in Iran's southeastern province was carried out by the foreign-bound criminals, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The crime of the foreign-bound (elements) which led to the martyrdom of people and a number of the devoted (Islamic Revolution) Guards ... is regretful for me and at the same time an everlasting honor for the Islamic Revolution," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

"I ensure the nation especially the reverend people of Sistan- Baluchestan province that the criminals will receive the response for their anti-human action soon," he said.

On Sunday morning, a statement issued by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the terrorist attack in the southeast of the country which claimed lives of a number of IRGC commanders "served the strategic objectives of the scarred enemies of the Islamic system in Iran."

The statement also said that the IRGC's services to the country always aimed at deflecting crises and fighting foreign plots especially in the region of Sistan-Baluchestan. IRGC vowed to continue its efforts to provide public security, according to IRNA.

The deadly suicide attack by Sunni rebel group Jundallah (God' s soldiers) occurred early Sunday in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province near Iran's border with Pakistan while the local officials were preparing a ceremony in which the local tribal leaders were to meet the military commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

There were about 29 killed and 28 injured in the attack, according to IRNA's latest report.