Deadly Shooting in Iranshahr: Outrage Grows as Authorities Investigate Police

A tragic shooting in Iranshahr has led to the death of a five-year-old child, Youssef Shahli-Bar, and the severe injury of his pregnant mother, who later lost her unborn child. The incident, which occurred on the night of February 24, has triggered widespread public outcry, an official investigation, and the arrest of several security personnel.

According to Iranian MP Rahmadel Bamari, the shooting happened during a car chase. He stated that several individuals suspected of involvement have been arrested, based on a report from the provincial judiciary. However, conflicting reports have emerged. Baluchi human rights activists and eyewitnesses claim the attack was carried out by special police forces, while Mohammadreza Eshaqi, the police commander of Sistan and Baluchestan, denies this, attributing the shooting to unknown assailants.

Following public outrage, the provincial prosecutor’s office launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of nine police officers allegedly linked to the shooting. Zahedan’s prosecutor, Mehdi Shams-Abadi, confirmed that those responsible will face legal consequences. The killing has drawn strong condemnation, including from Molavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni cleric of Zahedan, who urged authorities to swiftly prosecute those responsible. He criticized the reckless use of gunfire during police chases, stating: “If a suspect escapes, it is better than innocent people being killed by gunfire.”

Meanwhile, Youssef’s family is demanding transparency and justice. In a widely circulated video, his uncle, Reza Shahli-Bar, emphasized that their only demand is to uncover the truth. Reports suggest that the family has been pressured by security forces to deny claims that the Tactical Police Unit was responsible. In videos from the hospital, Youssef’s father can be heard expressing frustration over the absence of a surgeon, raising separate concerns about medical shortages in Sistan and Baluchestan. The region has long suffered from inadequate healthcare facilities, which has only further fueled public frustration.

The funeral of Youssef Shahli-Bar was attended by grieving relatives and locals, with human rights organizations calling for accountability. While the official narrative remains disputed, authorities claim that a special police investigation team has been dispatched to Iranshahr. Despite these assurances, activists continue to question whether full justice will be served.

The incident has reignited concerns about law enforcement practices in Sistan and Baluchestan, where citizens have repeatedly been killed during high-speed police chases. Calls for police reform and accountability continue to grow as the country watches how authorities handle this deeply troubling case.