“One of our conscripts who was guarding a unit in one of the military positions of the army this evening entered the soldiers’ resting area and opened fire and then fled the scene,” Iran’s state IRNA news agency said, citing an army officer.
“Unfortunately, as a result of this shooting, five of the soldier’s comrades lost their lives,” the officer said.
The motives for the shooting remain unknown as security forces continue the hunt for the suspect, who has yet to be caught, according to IRNA.
The attack comes amid heightened security in Kerman following a deadly bombing attack in early January that killed at least 94 people, claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
On January 3, two explosions rocked Kerman city near the cemetery where Iranian top commander Qasem Soleimani is buried, as thousands held a commemorative ceremony on the fourth anniversary of his assassination.
ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attacks and said they were carried out by two of its members who detonated explosive belts among the crowd.
