A bomb exploded in southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan on Friday, in the same city where another explosion earlier this week had killed 11 people, the official IRNA news agency reported.

 

"The sound of a bomb explosion was heard minutes ago in one of the streets in Zahedan," IRNA said without giving further details.

 

The semi-official Fars news agency reported that Jundallah, a shadowy Sunni militant group, has claimed responsibility for the latest bombing in Zahedan.

 

Clashes broke out between police and an armed group after the bomb exploded at about 10:00 PM (1830 GMT) on Friday, the news agency said.

 

"The gangsters were shooting at people after the bomb exploded at a female school. Clashes are still going on" in Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province, Fars said.

 

Electricity in the area was cut off following the explosion and the clashes, the news agency said, adding that all streets leading to the school and nearby residential complex were filled with police.

 

An explosive-laden car exploded Wednesday morning in Zahedan as a bus, belonging to ground forces of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, passed by, killing at least 11 people and injuring 31 others.

 

Jundallah has also reportedly claimed responsibility for the Wednesday attack. Iran has blamed the group for past killings in the area bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

So far a total of 65 suspects in addition to the three people responsible for the bomb attack have been arrested, IRNA reported on Thursday, quoting Brigadier General Mohammad Gaffari, a senior police official in Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)