Conflicting Reports on Armed Assault by Security Forces in a Village in Khash

Government media report the arrest of several members of the Jaish al-Adl group in a village in Khash, but media outlets covering the Baluch news in Iran refute this claim, stating that security forces shot during the raid on the village while searching homes, resulting in the death of an elderly woman. On Tuesday, July 8, Fars News Agency quoted an unnamed source saying, 'With the efforts of security and law enforcement forces, a four-member team supporting and transporting explosive shipments, affiliated with the Jaish al-Adl group, was arrested in the Qaderabad (Jaru) village of Khash.' Tasnim News Agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, also claimed that these individuals were identified in 'a safe house belonging to terrorist groups active in the southeast of the country' with 'the cooperation of the people.' However, the armed organization Jaish al-Adl denied the arrest of four of its members in Qaderabad, describing it as 'covering up the inhumane actions of security forces in this village.' Simultaneously, the Baluch Activists Campaign and the Halosh media outlet, both covering news related to Baluch people in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran, refute this news. According to Halosh, citing 'sources,' 'the intelligence and military forces of Mersad stormed the Qaderabad village of Khash around 2 PM with at least 20 vehicles and, after searching the homes of citizens, which faced protests from the locals, opened fire, resulting in the death of an elderly woman.' Halosh also reported that three other citizens were injured during these clashes, one of whom is a 16-year-old Baluch teenager. The media outlet published the identity of the deceased woman and three injured men, stating that 'Zalikhah Gomshadzehi,' 50 years old, died instantly from 'direct gunfire' and severity of injuries. The Baluch Activists Campaign also published images and videos in this regard, which capture the sound of gunfire and show Baluch citizens fleeing. Radio Farda is unable to verify these images and videos, as well as their time and location. The Jaish al-Adl group has repeatedly clashed with the Revolutionary Guards and Iranian border guards in Sistan and Baluchestan province, taking several of them hostage or killing them. This paramilitary group, opposing the Iranian government, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the Iranian government and several Western governments, including the United States. On May 15 of this year, the Quds Headquarters of the Ground Forces of the Revolutionary Guards announced the arrest of 'several individuals' whom they identified as 'elements supporting and providing for recent terrorist operations' in Sistan and Baluchestan province. In the news from Iranian government agencies, including IRNA, which was published based on a statement from this headquarters, there was no mention of the number of detainees, but it was stated that these individuals were arrested in the religious school 'Anwar al-Haramain' in the Pashamg Rasak village.