In Iran, at least seven Iranian police officers have died in a clash with drugs smugglers in the east of the country. Official sources said the shoot-out happened in Khorasan province near the Afghan border. The report said four drugs traffickers had also been killed and another seriously wounded. The region lies on a major narcotics route from neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan. Smugglers and armed bandits also left several vehicles, motorbikes and their arms fleeing the scene. Provincial police chief Gen Hamid Sharafi.said two tonnes of drugs had been confiscated.