5 Civilians Among 8 Killed In 'Terrorist' Attack On Judiciary Centre In Southeast Iran
At least five civilians, including a one-year-old child and the child's mother, were killed in a terrorist attack on a judiciary building in Zahedan, southeast Iran, on Saturday, according to Iranian state media. A Baloch rebel group has taken responsibility for the attack.
The armed assault took place in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province, a restive region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. State-run Mizan Online confirmed that 13 others were injured and warned the toll could rise.
Attackers Disguised as Visitors
The attackers, reportedly disguised as visitors, attempted to storm the judiciary complex before launching the assault. A grenade was thrown inside, killing several people on the spot, including the young child and their mother, said deputy provincial police chief Alireza Daliri.
Three Attackers Killed
According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and IRNA news agency, three of the gunmen were killed during the incident. Security forces responded quickly and neutralized the threat.
Baloch Rebel Group Claims Responsibility
The Sunni extremist group Jaish al-Adl, a Baloch separatist group operating from Pakistan and active in Iran’s southeast, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Iranian media reports.
Sistan-Baluchistan, around 1,200 km from Tehran, has long seen frequent violence involving Baloch rebels, Sunni extremist factions, and drug trafficking gangs. The region is home to a marginalised Baloch minority and has witnessed repeated clashes with Iranian forces, including a deadly October attack in which 10 police officers were killed.
Authorities have labeled Saturday’s assault another example of cross-border terrorism targeting Iran’s internal security.
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