Iranian Soldiers
© AFP 2016/ ISNA / HOSSEIN HOSSEINZADEH
The Iranian security forces eliminated the head of a Jihadi group.

The leader of a Pakistani Balochistan-based Jihadi group Abu Hafs Balochi was killed by the Iranian security forces, Intelligence Minister Seyed Mahmoud Alavi said Thursday.

"The traces of the foreign spying services in creation of some insecurities in the country's borders can be seen and their leader Abu Hafas Balouchi [Abu Hafs Balochi] with the real name of Hesham Azizi has been killed," Alavi said, as quoted by the IRNA news agency.

He added that the intelligence agencies of the United States, Israel, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia were cooperating with each other to threaten Iran's security.

In June, Iranian police smashed a terrorist cell in Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, killing five of its members and seizing a large amount of explosives.

Terrorist Groups Used by Foreign Gov'ts as Proxies to Target Iran

International terrorist groups are being used by foreign intelligence services to undermine security in Iran, Alavi said.

According to Alavi, cited by Tasnim news agency, Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, are being "used as puppets" against Iran.

According to the Iranian intelligence minister, the tactics used by foreign espionage agencies include funding anti-Iran operations, each costing an estimated $500,000.

Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham are outlawed in many countries, including Russia, as they are the most active terrorist groups in the Middle East and have managed to spread their influence and activities beyond the region.