A prominent Baloch female lawyer was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Zahedan, a city in western (Iran-administered) Balochistan, on Tuesday.
According to reports, Somayeh Hosseinbar (Molazahi), 37, was killed in what appears to be a targeted attack as she exited her car on Bozorgmehr Street. The attackers, who were reportedly traveling in a vehicle, opened fire, striking her multiple times in the head.
She was rushed to Imam Ali Hospital for emergency treatment but succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators. The killing has drawn widespread condemnation and heightened concerns over the escalating violence in the region.
Zahedan and the surrounding areas have long been affected by conflict, with frequent reports of human rights abuses and targeted killings. In 2023, at least 192 Baloch citizens were targeted in armed attacks by unidentified individuals. Of these, 150 were killed, including five children and four women, while 42 others were injured.