Bilal Nasrouyi, the protesting Baloch singer, killed by knife attacks in Zahedan

Several unofficial news sources reported that Bilal Nasrouyi (Reigi), a protesting Baloch singer, was attacked with a cold weapon and killed by unknown individuals on Tuesday evening in Zahedan. According to unofficial sources on Wednesday, May 19, unknown assailants attacked Bilal Nasrouyi 'with a knife' and struck him in the 'heart,' leading to the death of this Baloch artist. The 'Rasanak' account, which follows news related to Sistan and Baluchestan, confirmed this news on X, stating that the funeral and burial of Bilal Nasrouyi will take place in 'Fathabad village' in the Mirjaveh county. According to 'Rasanak,' this young protesting singer had previously been 'pursued' by the intelligence agencies of the Islamic Republic and had been 'threatened with assassination several times.' According to this report, he had emigrated following these threats but 'after a while, with the mediation of the elders of the Nasrouyi tribe and on the condition that he would stop singing, he returned to his normal life in Zahedan.' The 'Halosh' account on X also noted that following the killing of Bilal Nasrouyi, 'speculations about the role of security agencies in the murder of this citizen by their agents have increased.' According to 'Halosh,' the attack on Bilal Nasrouyi was carried out by 'occupants of a passenger vehicle' and 'in the most secure point of Zahedan, in front of the 88th Armored Division and next to the intelligence office of this city,' which is monitored by 'smart surveillance cameras.' This protesting singer 'lost his life before reaching Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital.' Some sources indicate that in recent days, the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic had been seeking to arrest Bilal Nasrouyi. The Iranian Retirees Council also reported that this Baloch artist was an 'advocate for freedom' and that his killing was an 'irreparable loss for Baloch culture and art.' In recent days, two Baloch Iranian citizens were killed as a result of drone attacks by the government forces of the Islamic Republic in the vicinity of Zahedan. Widespread poverty in Sistan and Baluchestan has led many residents to resort to fuel smuggling to meet their basic needs and those of their families. Since the start of the protest Fridays on October 1, 2022, the Islamic Republic has focused on suppressing the people of Baluchestan and imposing restrictions on Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader, and the conditions for the people of this province in terms of public welfare and access have worsened compared to the past.