Terrorist attack on courthouse in Iran kills 6

A terrorist attack on a courthouse in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province has left six people dead, including women and children, and injured at least 13 others. The attack took place on Saturday in the courthouse compound in Zahedan, the provincial capital near the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to Iranian state news agency IRNA, armed members of the Sunni extremist group Jaish al-Adl carried out the attack using hand grenades. A police official confirmed that among the dead were a mother and her child.

Immediately after the assault, clashes broke out between the militants and security forces. Later, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack via their Telegram channel.

Authorities urged civilians to evacuate the area for their safety. Human rights organization Halvash reported that the attackers stormed judges’ chambers and carried out shootings and explosions.

Sistan-Baluchestan is predominantly inhabited by the Sunni Muslim Baloch minority, who have long complained of political marginalization and economic neglect. The region has seen frequent clashes between Iranian security forces and Sunni militants or separatist groups.