The incident occurred in the border area of Shamsar, where two young men were killed by gunfire. The victims have been identified as Naveed, son of Abdeen, and Rasheed, son of Nawab, both residents of Haqabad Ziarat, a border village.
According to local sources, the shooting took place on Sunday at around 4 p.m., when the Iranian Mersad forces directly opened fire on the unarmed youths, killing them on the spot.
The region of Western Balochistan (known as Sistan and Baluchestan province in Iran) has long been a volatile area. It is inhabited by a predominantly Sunni Baloch ethnic minority, whereas Iran is primarily Shia. The region suffers from significant economic underdevelopment, high levels of poverty, and political marginalization. Due to the lack of opportunities and restrictions on traditional livelihoods like cross-border trade, many residents resort to smuggling fuel and goods between Iran and Pakistan.
Iranian security forces, especially the Mersad units, have been accused of harsh tactics in dealing with local Baloch people, including border traders known as sookhtbaran (fuel smugglers). These traders often attempt to transport fuel across the border to earn a livelihood. Encounters between Iranian border forces and these traders frequently result in violent clashes, leading to civilian deaths. Human rights organizations have condemned such incidents as disproportionate use of force.
The Iranian government maintains that its actions are necessary to combat cross-border smuggling and maintain national security. However, the local Baloch population views these actions as oppressive and reflective of systemic discrimination against their community. The lack of political representation and economic development fuels further resentment, often leading to protests, unrest, and a cycle of violence.