An armed assault carried out by the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl shook Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, leaving behind a trail of death and injury. The attack, which took place at a courthouse in the city of Zahedan—the provincial capital—resulted in the deaths of at least five people and injuries to thirteen others. According to reports from the state news agency IRNA, three of the attackers were killed during a violent confrontation with security forces that followed the assault.
A senior police official confirmed that among the dead were a mother and her child, both killed when the gunmen threw a grenade inside the courthouse building. This deadly escalation was quickly claimed by Jaish al-Adl through a statement on their Telegram channel, where they not only took responsibility but also urged civilians to flee the area to avoid harm during the ongoing fighting.
Eyewitness accounts, cited by the Baluch human rights group HAALVSH, revealed that the attackers managed to reach the chambers of the judges, where they reportedly killed or injured several members of the judiciary as well as security personnel. This horrific incident highlights the fragile and volatile situation in Sistan-Baluchestan, a region that has seen repeated outbreaks of violence over the years. The province, located near the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is predominantly inhabited by the Sunni Muslim Baluch community. This ethnic group has long expressed its grievances against the Iranian government, accusing authorities of persistent neglect, economic hardship, and lack of political representation.
Sistan-Baluchestan remains one of the most restive areas in the country, often witnessing deadly encounters between state forces and various armed factions. Groups such as Jaish al-Adl, which claim to fight for greater rights and autonomy for the Baluch people, are frequently labeled by Tehran as terrorists with external links. The government accuses these groups not only of militancy but also of cross-border smuggling and plotting insurgent activities with foreign backing. This most recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted tensions and the ongoing instability in a region that continues to simmer with unrest and rebellion.
