At least 26 Baloch prisoners killed and injured after protesting food ration cuts in Chabahar Prison
According to the Balochistan Human Rights Group , in the early hours of Wednesday, March 17, 2026, prisoners in Chabahar Prison protested against several days of food ration cuts and lack of access to basic supplies. Security forces and special units entered the prison and opened fire on the inmates, resulting in at least 5 killed and 21 others injured.
The identities of two of the deceased prisoners have been reported as Aslam Jadgal and another individual with the surname Jadgal. A prisoner from Zahedan and two others are also among the victims, although their identities have not yet been confirmed.
According to sources, the protests began on Tuesday evening after several days without food rations. A number of Baloch prisoners gathered in the prison yard and refused to return to their wards, protesting their living conditions, the insecurity in the region, and the impact of recent attacks in Chabahar. They demanded transfer to safer facilities or clarification of their legal status.
Reports indicate that as the protests continued and prisoners raised demands regarding safety and food provisions, special forces were deployed to the prison at the request of the prison director. The forces responded with violent confrontation and used live ammunition against the inmates.
Following the shooting, security forces reportedly entered the yard and beat prisoners with batons, fists, and kicks. They also initially refused to transfer the injured to medical facilities.
Dozens of wounded prisoners, some suffering gunshot injuries, were later transferred to Imam Ali Hospital in Chabahar. Some of the injured contacted their families and confirmed that several prisoners had been killed during the incident. Sources also stated that prisoners had not received any food for at least four days and had been forced to rely on limited personal supplies.
According to informed sources, the bodies of some of the victims have been transferred to a morgue. However, no detailed information has been released about their identities or the process of returning the bodies to their families. The exact number of casualties and the condition of other prisoners remain unclear, and Iranian authorities have not issued any official response.
It is worth noting that on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Alireza Noura, Deputy Governor of Sistan and Balochistan Province and Special Governor of Chabahar, denied claims of a “prisoner escape,” calling them rumors. However, independent reports had not mentioned any escape, focusing instead on the prisoners’ protest over food shortages and the subsequent shooting by security forces, which led to multiple deaths and injuries.
