Iran kills nine drug traffickers - report

Tehran: Nine armed drug traffickers have been killed by Iranian forces, a news report said on Tuesday.

The clash took place between security forces and the alleged smugglers in a desert area of the southeastern Kerman province, Iran's Fars news agency said.

"In a clash between security forces and bandits, nine drug smugglers were killed and a large amount of weapons was destroyed," the report said.

The region is known to be a major smuggling route for drugs and other illegal materials.