9 killed, 20 hurt in attack on Iranian military parade

Tehran: At least nine military men were killed and at least 20 others sustained injuries after a group of unknown gunmen opened fire at a military parade in the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Saturday.

The incident took place while an annual event to mark the start of the Iran-Iraq war 1980-88 was underway and a large number of family members of the military officials had gathered at the venue.

At least four gunmen targeted a stand where Iranian officials were gathered to watch the event and opened fire indiscriminately. While the security forces gunned down two of the assailants two others managed to escape from the spot following the incident, reported Iranian State television.

Iranian Police has launched a massive manhunt to nab the attackers who are on the run.

While no group has claimed the responsibility of the attack, State television has claimed the hand of “takfiri elements”, a reference to Sunni Muslim terrorists in the killings.

Notably, Iran was holding similar parades in several cities including the capital Tehran and the port of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf to commemorate the war.

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