Iranian border guards opened fire on Afghan migrants crossing into Sistan-Baluchestan province, killing six and injuring five, rights group Haalvsh reported on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on September 8 in the Golshan border district. Around 120 Afghan nationals, including women, children, and elderly people, were targeted. Haalvsh stated that border guards used both heavy and light weapons, including a DShK heavy machine gun, without issuing any prior warning.
Five bodies were left at the scene, while one of the injured lost a leg due to gunfire. Three of the wounded remain in critical condition at Saravan hospitals. Additionally, around 40 migrants were detained by the Iranian border guards.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) condemned the attack, calling it a blatant violation of fundamental rights. HRANA cited the direct targeting of unarmed migrants, lack of immediate medical assistance, and mass arrests as serious breaches of international law.
Haalvsh highlighted that such incidents are not isolated. In October 2024, Iranian border guards fired on Afghan migrants, leaving dozens dead, wounded, or missing.
According to HRANA’s annual report, Iranian security forces shot 484 civilians in 2024, killing 163 and injuring 321. These events underscore ongoing concerns about the treatment of Afghan migrants at the border.
Rights groups urged the Iranian government to investigate the incident, provide justice for victims, and ensure that border guards follow international humanitarian laws to protect civilians.
The attack has drawn international attention, with calls for accountability and stricter oversight of border guards operating in sensitive regions.
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