Iran says it has killed a senior member of the Kurdish rebel group known as PJAK .

State-run media reports on Wednesday said Revolutionary Guards killed deputy commander Majid Kavian during a “cleanup operation.” The reports say he died on Saturday of shrapnel wounds.

PJAK has clashed sporadically with Iranian forces in recent years. The militant group, which is based in a border region near Iraq, says it is fighting for greater autonomy.

Iran renewed an offensive against the group in late August. On Monday, Iranian Colonel Hamid Ahmadi said Revolutionary Guards had killed more than 30 PJAK fighters in recent clashes.

PJAK proposed a ceasefire with Iran but Tehran said the rebels must first leave the border region before any ceasefire will be considered.