At least twelve Balochs, including two minors, arrested by security forces in Zahedan

Hengaw: Saturday, April 19, 2025

In Zahedan, security forces have arrested at least twelve Balochs, including two minors. Their whereabouts and current conditions remain unknown.

According to reports received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, in the early hours of Friday, April 18, 2025, residents from the villages of Chah-Ahmad, Esmaeilabad, Sornayi, and Qaleh-Bid in Zahedan were detained during coordinated operations. The identities of those arrested have been confirmed as: Hassan Nasiri Motlaq (Qanbarzehi), aged 15; a 16-year-old child and his father, Akbar Shahbakhsh, 45; Aziz Nasiri Motlaq, 43; Nejat Qanbarzehi, 35, and his nephew; Shirmohammad Nasiri Motlaq; Atamohammad Nasiri Motlaq; Eshaq Qanbarzehi; Vahid Shahbakhsh; Morteza Qanbarzehi; and Aref Shahbakhsh, aged 19.

According to the Haalvsh news outlet, one of the detainees, Aref (Mohsen) Shahbakhsh, lives with autism. His arrest has raised serious concerns regarding his health and wellbeing.

Reports indicate that government forces surrounded the targeted villages and stormed the homes of Baloch residents without presenting judicial warrants, carrying out extensive searches and raids on dozens of households.

Simultaneously, an armed clash occurred in the village of Sornayi, where a Baloch man, Valimohammad Mohammadzehi (son of Sohrab), was killed by drone fire from military forces.

As of now, no official information has been released regarding the reasons for the arrests, the locations of detention, or the charges brought against those detained.