16 rebels hanged after Iranian border guards killed in clash

Iranian authorities say they hanged 16 "anti-Iran" rebels Saturday for the deaths of 14 border guards in clashes in the southeastern region of the country. The guards were killed Friday night near the city of Saravan along the Iranian border with Pakistan, CNN reported. "We had issued warnings previously that bandits and anti-Iran group members who commit acts causing damage to innocent people or security and military personnel will face reciprocal action by us," local attorney general Mohammad Marzieh said. He said the hangings were "in retaliation for the martyrdom" of the guards. Rajabali Sheikhzadeh, deputy governor of Sistan and Baluchestan province, said the attackers fled into Pakistan after the confrontation with the guards, the Iranian news service FARS reported. The number of casualties sustained by the rebels was unknown, Sheikhzadeh said