On April 12, 2025, eight Pakistani workers from Bahawalpur, Punjab, were killed in a targeted attack by Baloch militants in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, according to Iranian officials. The tragic incident occurred at a car repair workshop in Meharistan district’s Hizabad Paein village, highlighting ongoing regional tensions.
The victims, who specialized in denting, polishing, and painting cars, stayed at the workshop. Unknown armed men entered at night, bound their hands and feet, and opened fire, killing all eight instantly. The attackers fled, and Iranian police launched an investigation after recovering the bodies. A spokesperson for the banned Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the killings.
BREAKING: Eight Pakistanis have been killed in Mehristan area of Sistan va Baluchistan province of Iran, that is 230 kilometres away from Pak-Iran border both Iranian and Pakistani officials confirmed. An official with direct knowledge confirmed to Khorasan Diary that the men… pic.twitter.com/lfOaKJY2JN
— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) April 12, 2025Iranian authorities confirmed the workers were from Bahawalpur. Five victims were identified: Dilshad, his son Muhammad Naeem, Jaffar, Danish, and Nasir. The Pakistani embassy is coordinating with Iran to identify the remaining bodies and facilitate their return, which is expected to take 8-10 days.
In January 2024, nine Pakistani mechanics were killed in Saravan under similar circumstances. These incidents underscore the volatile security situation in the region, where Baloch militant groups operate across the Pakistan-Iran border.
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Sistan-Baluchestan and Pakistan’s Balochistan province have long faced insurgencies. Local Baloch groups demand greater autonomy, accusing governments of exploiting resources while neglecting development. In January 2024, cross-border strikes escalated tensions when Iran targeted Jaish al-Adl, and Pakistan hit alleged hideouts of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).
