Martial Law Declared Following Massacre and Protest Riot in Saravan - 2003-12-06

According to the latest reports from Saravan, following the massacre of innocent people and widespread protests in the city, police, military, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took control of the city. At least twenty Baloch individuals and two members of the Islamic Republic's police forces were killed. This morning (Thursday), police officers stopped a motorcyclist who was the young son of Mohammad Haroon Benpashti in one of the streets of Saravan. However, the young motorcyclist ignored the police's command to stop and continued riding. Apparently, he, lacking a motorcycle license, continued on his way out of fear of the police. The police then opened fire on him with automatic rifles. The young motorcyclist survived the hail of bullets, but two innocent bystanders were killed by police gunfire. The police, showing no regard for the deceased bystanders, got into their vehicle and pursued the young motorcyclist. After a short chase, the police managed to throw the motorcyclist to the ground using their vehicle. The police then attacked the fallen young motorcyclist with their weapons and brutally beat him to death. Other ordinary citizens and bystanders who witnessed these events protested against the police, leading to a severe clash between the people and the police forces. After about an hour, news of the incident spread throughout Saravan and surrounding areas. A few hours later, thousands of angry residents from Saravan and nearby villages marched towards the courthouse and the city governor's office in protest. In bloody clashes between the police forces and the people, many were killed and injured. The furious crowd then attacked the courthouse, governor's office, municipality, and other government offices, causing extensive damage. It is reported that people also attacked several banks, seizing cash and burning it or causing extensive damage. The people then moved towards the city hospital to check on the injured. A large-scale conflict occurred around the hospital between the people and police forces, resulting in more casualties. At least two members of the Islamic Republic's police forces were killed in these clashes, with an unknown number injured. The people then attacked the hospital, destroying a large part of it. A group of angry citizens attacked shops owned by non-locals and government affiliates, setting these shops on fire. In these widespread clashes throughout the city, at least twenty Baloch individuals were killed, and many others were injured, with seven of the injured reported to be in critical condition. It is said that two to three members of the Islamic Republic's forces were also killed by the people. Between two hundred to three hundred individuals have been arrested. Given the extensive nature of these clashes and the fact that police forces took away the bodies of the deceased and some of the injured, the exact number of casualties and arrests remains unclear. This evening, police, military, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took control of the city and declared martial law.