A Security Official: Armored Vehicles 'Bulletproof' to Be Deployed in Sistan and Baluchestan

As weekly protests continue in Sistan and Baluchestan province and on the eve of another Friday of protests in Zahedan, the police chief of the province announced on Thursday, November 16, that 'bulletproof tactical vehicles' would be deployed to 'enhance security and calm and to seriously confront security disruptors' in the province. According to ISNA news agency, Doostali Jalilian claimed that these vehicles would be used to confront 'armed robbers and miscreants.' The deployment of armored vehicles in Sistan and Baluchestan comes at a time when cities in this province, especially Zahedan, have witnessed a significant presence of security and military forces of the Islamic Republic during the nationwide protests of 2022. Some cities in this province, including Zahedan and Khash, have seen weekly street protests since government forces opened fire on a group of protesters in Zahedan on October 8 of last year. Reports indicate that on Fridays, government forces create checkpoints and block streets, conducting body searches and inspections of people, including women. Three days before the police chief's announcement regarding the deployment of armored vehicles, the head of the judiciary in Sistan and Baluchestan announced the execution of three security prisoners accused of collaborating with opposition groups 'in various locations' in Zahedan. Additionally, see: Execution of 3 'security' prisoners in Zahedan; human rights sources: they had made 'forced confessions' under torture. Images of government forces present around the Makki Mosque in Zahedan. Increased pressure on Molavi Abdulhamid and continued arrests in Zahedan; the cameraman of the Makki Mosque was arrested. Closure of non-governmental schools in Zahedan due to management by Sunni clerics. Molavi Abdulhamid, referring to the 'Khash crime,' called for justice.