Six Afghan Migrants Killed by Iranian Border Guards in Sistan-Baluchestan

Iranian border guards opened fire on a group of Afghan migrants attempting to cross into Sistan-Baluchestan province, killing six and injuring five, according to rights group Haalvsh on Tuesday.

The incident took place on September 8 in the Golshan border district, where around 120 Afghan nationals, including women, children and elderly people, came under fire.

Haalvsh said Iranian forces used both heavy and light weapons, including a DShK heavy machine gun, without issuing any warning.

According to the group, five bodies were left at the scene, while one of the injured lost a leg due to heavy gunfire.

Three of the wounded remain in critical condition after being hospitalized in Saravan.

The group added that around 40 other migrants were detained by border forces.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) condemned the attack as a violation of fundamental rights, citing the direct targeting of unarmed migrants with heavy weapons.

Lack of timely medical care and mass arrests as breaches of international law.

Haalvsh noted that similar incidents have been reported before.

In October 2024, Iranian border guards opened fire on Afghan migrants, leaving dozens dead, wounded or missing.

HRANA’s annual monitoring found that in 2024, Iranian security forces shot 484 civilians, killing 163 and wounding 321.