Eleven Baloch killed by government forces under pretext of anti-smuggling operation in Isfahan 

Hengaw – Saturday, July 26, 2025

Eleven Baloch were shot and killed during coordinated aerial and ground assaults by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on a major transit route in Isfahan Province, under the pretext of combating smuggling.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Friday, July 25, 2025, the victims were identified as Hashem Qanbarzehi, Hossein Qanbarzehi, Rahmatollah Qanbarzehi, and Khalil Qanbarzehi — all four brothers — along with two additional brothers, Mansour Qanbarzehi and Basir Qanbarzehi. Also killed were Farshid Qanbarzehi, Abdulrahman Qanbarzehi, Javad Qanbarzehi, Safiollah Qanbarzehi, and Nourahmad Qanbarzehi. All were killed by direct fire from security forces in Isfahan.

All eleven victims were residents of Zahedan County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, according to the Haalvsh outlet.

IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, claimed the individuals were “armed smugglers” and reported that law enforcement forces from the provinces of Isfahan, South Khorasan, and Yazd participated in the attack on their convoy.

Smuggling goods alone does not justify the use of lethal force. Such actions require clear and demonstrable evidence of an imminent threat to the lives of government personnel.