Balochistan: Eleven Baloch Citizens Including Four Brothers Killed by Iranian Forces

DOZZAAP (ZAHEDAN): The identities of eleven Baloch citizens killed by Iranian occupation forces in Isfahan have been confirmed, with reports stating that four of the deceased were brothers from the same family.

The tragic deaths occurred yesterday (July 25), with Iranian authorities claiming the killings were linked to drug trafficking. However, critics and human rights organisations have raised doubts about the state narrative.

According to a statement released by the Balochistan United Front, the victims were identified as:

Hashem Qanbarzahi, Hossein Qanbarzahi, Rahmatullah Qanbarzahi, Khalil Qanbarzahi. All four brothers are sons of Nazar.

Mansour Qanbarzahi, Bashir Qanbarzahi, the sons of Nasser. Farshid Qanbarzahi Son of Abdulsalam, Abdulrahman Qanbarzahi Son of Nader, Javad (Pasand) Qanbarzahi Son of Azim, Safiullah Qanbarzahi Son of Seyed Mohammad and Noor Ahmad Qanbarzahi Son of Nowruz.

All victims were from the region of Dozzaap (Zahedan), the capital city of Iranian Occupied Balochistan, located in the south-eastern part of Iran. The city has long been the stronghold of the Baloch population. However, the Iranian state continues its nefarious efforts to turn the Baloch into a minority in Zahedan.

Iranian state media quickly linked the killings to alleged drug trafficking activities. The government claimed that these individuals were involved in the transportation of narcotics, which is commonly cited as a pretext for the violent suppression of non-Persian nations in the region. However, this explanation has been widely disputed by activists and independent sources.

Furthermore, Baloch rights groups argue that the drug trade in Balochistan is closely tied to the activities of the IRGC’s Quds Force, which is accused of controlling much of the illicit economy in the region. These organisations claim that certain tribal leaders in Balochistan, often with ties to the Iranian military, play a role in facilitating drug trade operations.

The deaths of the eleven Baloch citizens have sparked outrage among Baloch communities both within Iran and abroad, with many calling for justice and an end to the systematic targeting of Baloch people under fake charges and staged encounters