Shindand SuperCobra incident

The Shindand SuperCobra incident refers to the shootdown of two Iranian Bell AH-1 SuperCobras by Soviet forces near Shindand, Herat Province. It was the only air to air engagement between Soviet and Iranian forces in the Soviet-Afghan War that took place inside Afghanistan.

Background
During the Soviet Afghan war, Iran supported the Shia Mujahideen, namely the Persian speaking Shiite Hazaras. One of these groups was the Tehran Eight, a political union of Afghan Shi'a. They were supplied predominately by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This further strained the already tense relations between Soviet Union and Iran.

Shootdown
On 26 September 1988 two Iranian Air force Bell AH-1 SuperCobras intruded into Afghan airspace southeast of Shindand, Herat Province. Two Soviet MiG-23ML of the 120th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment piloted by B.Gavrilov and V.Astakhov were dispatched. The Migs fired R-24 missiles at the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra, both SuperCobras were shot down killing at least 3 personnel on board.

Aftermath
This shootdown was the last air to air shootdown by Soviets in the Soviet Afghan war. Soon after the Soviets retreated from Afghanistan. Tehran Eight also attacked Soviet forces more frequently after the incident.