At least nine people were killed in an armed attack on a courthouse in southeastern Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2024, when members of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl carried out the assault in Zahedan, the provincial capital. Among the dead were three assailants, as well as a toddler, a 60-year-old woman, three soldiers, and law enforcement personnel assigned to the courthouse, according to state media.
The attack resulted in an additional 22 injuries, as reported by the Iranian news agency IRNA. Jaish al-Adl confirmed the deaths of its three members during the clashes with security forces. The group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating in a message on its Telegram account that it had targeted judges and court staff due to their roles in issuing death sentences and demolition orders against Baluch citizens.
Details of the Attack
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the attackers, equipped with explosive vests and grenades, stormed the courthouse. The head of the province’s judiciary noted that it was unclear whether the assailants had detonated their explosives during the attack. Eyewitness accounts reported that several judiciary staff members and security personnel were either killed or injured as the gunmen entered the judges’ chambers.
The militant group asserted that it had killed at least 30 members of the judiciary and security forces. In its statement, Jaish al-Adl warned that Baluchestan would no longer provide a safe haven for judges and employees of the judiciary, threatening that death would follow them “like terrifying shadows until retribution.”
Sistan-Baluchestan has long been troubled by violence and unrest, with the Baluch minority frequently voicing grievances regarding economic marginalization and political exclusion. The province has seen ongoing clashes between security forces and various armed groups, including Sunni militants who seek greater rights and autonomy. Iranian authorities have accused these groups of having links to foreign powers and involvement in smuggling and insurgency.
The Baluch human rights organization HAALVSH, citing eyewitness reports, indicated that the attack was part of a broader conflict, highlighting the severe implications for local security and governance. As tensions continue to rise in the region, the incident underscores the volatile nature of Sistan-Baluchestan and the challenges faced by both local authorities and the Baluch community.
