Execution of Two Baloch Prisoners in Zahedan and Yazd
According to the Balochistan Human Rights Group, on the morning of Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the death sentences of two prisoners from Sistan and Baluchestan were carried out in the prisons of Zahedan and Yazd.
In Zahedan Central Prison, Omid (Ali-Akbar) Shahouzehi, a married father of two, was executed after being sentenced to death on a murder charge. He had been arrested in Zahedan approximately four years ago. According to sources, he had consistently denied the murder charge and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
At the same time, Ali-Asghar Salarzehi, approximately 42 years old and from Zabol, was executed in Yazd Prison after nearly seven years of imprisonment. He had been detained since 2019 and sentenced to death in connection with drug-related charges. Before his execution, he was transferred to the prison’s quarantine section and his family was summoned for a final visit.
According to data compiled by the Balochistan Human Rights Group, at least 137 Baloch prisoners were executed in 27 prisons across Iran in 2025. Of these, 94 executions were related to drug offenses and 36 to murder charges. Zahedan Prison recorded the highest number, with 34 executions.

Two Baloch Civilians Killed and Injured Following Shooting by Plainclothes Security Forces in Khash County
According to the Balochistan Human Rights Group, on the evening of September August 23, 2026 , two Baloch civilians were targeted by plainclothes security forces near the city of Khash, while traveling in a private vehicle on the road leading to Kolchat village, in the Central District of Khash County. One of them was killed and the other was seriously injured in the shooting.
The deceased civilian was identified as Reza Shahbakhsh, son of Khodanazar, while the injured civilian was identified as Abdol-Samad Shahbakhsh, son of Jan-Mohammad. Both were reportedly from Kolchat village in Khash County.
According to sources, the two civilians were traveling in their private vehicle near the city of Khash when plainclothes security forces opened fire on their vehicle without issuing any order to stop or giving prior warning. The occupants were struck by bullets, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and overturn.
Sources added that Reza Shahbakhsh died from the severity of his injuries, while Abdol-Samad Shahbakhsh was wounded and transferred to a hospital for treatment. He remains hospitalized and is receiving medical care.
According to documentation collected in 2025, direct shootings, raids on homes, landmine explosions, and physical assaults by military and security forces affected at least 173 people in Balochistan. Of these, 107 were killed and 66 were injured. Among those killed were three women and one child, while the injured included 16 women and four children.

At Least 20 Homes Demolished in Chahbahar’s Janglok Neighborhood; Others at Risk of Demolition
The Balochistan Human Rights Group reported that demolition operations began yesterday in Janglok, an old neighborhood in Chahbahar, southeastern Iran. According to the report, forces affiliated with the Housing Foundation, working with municipal authorities and using bulldozers and trucks, have demolished homes belonging to Baloch residents. At least 20 of around 50 homes targeted in the current phase have reportedly already been demolished, while the remaining homes are at risk of demolition in the coming days.
Janglok is one of Chahbahar’s long-established neighborhoods, where hundreds of Baloch families have lived for decades. Residents have faced repeated pressure to relocate in recent years. In May 2020, a major fire in the neighborhood destroyed the homes and belongings of hundreds of families. The cause of the fire was never officially established.
Authorities have proposed relocating Janglok residents to newly built housing in other parts of Chahbahar, including a complex known locally as the “1,000-Unit Project” and housing in eastern Moradabad. Residents, however, have raised concerns about the limited number of available homes, the suitability of some of the new units, and reported monthly rent demands of around 50 million rials.
Officials say around 335 families currently live in Janglok, while the number of available housing units is limited. It remains unclear what will happen to families who are not included in the current relocation process.
The simultaneous demolition of homes and implementation of the relocation plan, without clearly determining the status of all affected families, has raised concerns about housing security, property rights, and future living costs. Residents are calling for the demolitions to be suspended until every affected family has a clear housing arrangement, and for any relocation to be carried out transparently, with residents’ participation and guarantees of adequate and secure housing.

Baloch Citizen Injured in Security Forces’ Shooting at Checkpoint on Outskirts of Zahedan
Early Wednesday morning, August 19, 2026, a Baloch citizen was seriously injured after security forces opened fire at a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Zahedan, in southeastern Iran, on the road toward Zabol, according to the Balochistan Human Rights Group.
The injured man was identified as Younes Rakhshani, son of Abdolrahman, a resident of Zahedan.
According to the report, the incident took place at around 2:20 a.m. Younes was driving a passenger car with four relatives on board. They were traveling toward Zabol to seek medical treatment for one of the passengers.
At the police checkpoint, plainclothes security forces opened fire on the vehicle and placed a tire-puncturing road barrier in its path in an apparent attempt to stop it.
During the shooting, one bullet struck Younes Rakhshani in the lower back, seriously injuring him. He was subsequently taken to Khatam al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan, where he remains hospitalized and is receiving medical treatment. The other four passengers were not injured.
As of the time of the report, no further information was available about why the security forces opened fire or why the vehicle was targeted.
According to documentation collected in 2025, direct shootings, raids on homes, landmine explosions, and beatings by military and security forces affected at least 173 people in Balochistan. Of these, 107 people were killed and 66 were injured. Among those killed were three women and one child, while the injured included 16 women and four children.

According to the Balochistan Human Rights Group, three Baloch men were killed in two separate incidents on Thursday morning, August 20, 2026, in Bandar Abbas and along the Zabol–Hirmand road.
In the first incident, security forces reportedly pursued and opened fire on a vehicle carrying fuel smugglers near the Esin Bridge in Bandar Abbas. The vehicle caught fire, killing both occupants, 18-year-old Yaser Salarzehi and 28-year-old Ahmad Saghehzi, who were reportedly from Zabol.
In the second incident, 24-year-old Mansour Qaljayi was reportedly pursued by plainclothes anti-narcotics forces while traveling from Zabol toward Hirmand, near the town of Dost Mohammad. According to sources, he continued driving because he believed the armed individuals pursuing him were robbers. During the pursuit, his vehicle reportedly left the road and crashed into a utility pole. He was thrown through the windshield and died from his injuries. The pursuing forces reportedly left the scene without providing assistance.
The incidents come amid continued reports of deaths and injuries among fuel carriers and other Baloch civilians in connection with shootings, vehicle pursuits, and actions by military and security forces in Balochistan.

​According to the Balochistan Human Rights Group, a Baloch fuel carrier lost his life in a vehicle fire on August 15, 2026, following a pursuit by military forces in the Khosrowabad area (Karam Pass) near Manujan County.

​The victim has been identified as Kourosh Miri (Balochzehi), a resident of Rudbar-e Jonub County, as confirmed by Rasanank.

​Sources report that Kourosh was driving a Nissan pickup truck along the Hashtbandi-Manujan road when two unmarked vehicles belonging to military forces began pursuing him. The chase continued into the Khosrowabad area at Karam Pass.

​During the pursuit, Kourosh’s vehicle rolled over and immediately caught fire. Trapped inside, he burned to death before rescuers could reach him.

​Background Context

​Fuel carrying (Sookhtbari) remains one of the few viable livelihoods in southeastern Iran due to severe economic deprivation, though drivers face extreme safety and security hazards:

• ​2025 Casualty Toll: At least 173 fuel carriers were killed and 132 injured throughout 2025.
• ​Road Accidents: Traffic crashes claimed 131 lives and injured 80 others.
• ​Military Interventions: Direct military actions—including shootings, landmine explosions, vehicular pursuits, and physical assaults—resulted in 37 deaths and 44 injuries.
• ​Other Incidents: Drowning accounted for 2 deaths; isolated fires led to 1 death and 7 injuries; and armed attacks by unidentified individuals resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury.
• ​Arrests: At least 211 fuel carriers were detained by authorities over the same period.