World

Unrest in Iran grows as Zahedan violence fuels Baloch movement

The convulsions in Iran over the hijab protests and the killings in Iran’s south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan are fuelling the Baloch separatist movement in south-eastern Iran.

Reportedly, about 40 protesters were killed after security personnel opened fire on people in Sistan-Baluchistan’s capital Zahedan after Friday prayers. The crowd was protesting against the rape of a teenage Baloch girl by an officer in a police station. Baloch groups alleged that Colonel Ebrahim Khouchakzai, police commander in the Iranian port city of Chabahar, called the girl to the police station where he assaulted her.

Protests by the Baloch people, who call Sistan-Baluchistan occupied territory by Iran, have spread from Zahedan to other Iranian cities.


The violence in Sistan-Baluchistan resulted in the deaths of five Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members including two colonels and a senior intelligence official.

The official Iranian news agency IRNA said: “With the death on Saturday night of one of the members of the paramilitary forces, the number of martyrs among the Guards in the terrorist incident in Zahedan on Friday has increased to five”. It added that 32 IRGC members were injured in the clashes.

Iran-based Baloch religious scholar Maulvi Abdul Hameed has blamed Iranian security forces for the killings, alleging: “The bullets have been fired into the heads and hearts of most of the worshipers, and it is clear that it was the work of snipers”. He added that the police did not disperse the protesters but instead fired at them.

The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), in a statement from London, has criticised Iran for firing at “peaceful Baloch protesters in Iranian-occupied Balochistan” on September 30. The FBM said that Iran has deprived the Baloch people of their national identity and has placed “restrictions on the culture, language and collective thinking of the Baloch people”.


Meanwhile Iran has vowed to avenge the deaths of the IRGC personnel in the Zahedan violence.

The Iran government has blamed the Jaish al-Adl, also known as the Army of Justice, for the unrest in Zahedan. Iran considers it a militant group linked to the Al-Qaeda while the Baloch say that it is fighting for an independent Balochistan. The group operates in south-eastern Iran, close to the border with Pakistan and has carried out numerous bombings in Iran.

Sobdar Baloch, human rights activist and member of the FBM told India Narrative that their leader Hyrbair Marri is supporting the freedom movement of other ethnic communities in Iran like the Kurds and Ahwaz in fighting “Iranian occupation”. The Baloch separatists have also been holding joint protests with the Kurdish separatist groups.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish Freedom Party (PAK), a Kurdish nationalist militant group has announced its support to the Baloch nationalist movement. In a statement issued from Turkey, it said: “The Kurdistan Liberation Party supports the Balochi movement”, adding that the people of Balochistan are fighting against ransom and crimes against the State, they are united in the war against Iran”.

The Baloch have been waging an armed struggle against both Pakistan and Iran for independence.

Also Read: Why China’s assets are easy targets for Pakistani separatists

Baloch rebels interrogating Pak soldiers captured before helicopter crash 

Rahul Kumar

Rahul Kumar writes on international issues and is a keen watcher of South Asia, environment, urban development and NGOs.

Recent Posts

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

2 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

2 hours ago

Rajnath Singh meets Japan’s Defence Minister, Philippines Defence Secretary in Laos

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held meetings with the Japanese Defence Minister, General Nakatani and…

5 hours ago

PM Modi holds meeting with Barbados PM Mottley, expresses gratitude on receiving ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor…

7 hours ago

Gautam Adani indicted by US: White House says India-US ties strong, “confident” in navigating crisis

The White House has said it is aware of the allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam…

7 hours ago

PM Modi and PM Pierre discuss ways to enhance India-St Lucia ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip Pierre…

7 hours ago