Gunmen Kill 5 in Courthouse Attack in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan

 

At least five people were killed and thirteen injured during an armed attack on a courthouse in Zahedan, the capital of Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province. Iranian media reported that the attack was carried out by members of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl. The attackers stormed the building and reportedly threw a hand grenade, killing a mother and child among others. A senior Iranian police official confirmed that three of the assailants were also killed in a firefight with security forces. The Baluch human rights group HAALVSH said the attackers targeted the judges’ chambers, and that several judiciary staff and security personnel were either killed or wounded in the assault. The courthouse was evacuated as violence escalated. Jaish al-Adl later issued a statement via its Telegram channel claiming responsibility and warning civilians to stay away from the area.

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The deadly courthouse attack highlights the persistent unrest in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, a region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. This area is mainly inhabited by Iran’s Sunni Baluch minority, who have long accused the government of political discrimination and economic neglect. The province has seen frequent violent clashes between Iranian security forces and various armed groups, including Sunni extremists and separatist factions. These groups demand greater political rights and regional autonomy. Iranian authorities often accuse them of being supported by foreign enemies and involved in illegal cross-border activities such as smuggling and insurgency. Tensions have remained high in the region, with attacks targeting both government forces and institutions increasing over the years.

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