Iranian Special Police Commander Dies After Drill Accident

The commander of the Special Police Forces (NOPO) in the northwestern Iranian city of Zanjan has died of injuries suffered during drills earlier in the week, local media reported.

Semi-official media reported on December 12 that the NOPO unit was conducting a demolition exercise at its shooting range when Ali Bayat and two other officers were injured by the shockwave caused by a blast.

Two were discharged from hospital after three days, while Bayat died after suffering brain death. 

NOPO is part of Iran's Special Unit Forces and the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF). Islamic Republic officials have described NOPO as "anti-terror special forces" tasked with "releasing hostages, handling and neutralizing terrorist operations, and suppressing urban riots."

However, one of its primary missions is to suppress public demonstrations.