Sistan-Baluchistan province, one of Iran's poorest, has long seen clashes between security forces and armed groups, including separatist factions. (AFP pic)TEHRAN: Iranian police said on Tuesday that one of their officers was killed in an attack by unidentified assailants in the country's restive southeast, state media reported.

"Following an armed attack by unidentified individuals on a Criminal Investigation Police officer in Saravan county (Sistan-Baluchistan province), Third Lieutenant Hojat Vafakardeh attained the honour of martyrdom," state television quoted a police statement as saying.

"Efforts by police and security forces to identify and arrest those responsible for this cowardly attack are ongoing," the statement added.