Afghanistan launches investigation into Iranian border massacre claims

The Islamic Emirate confirmed late Wednesday it has initiated an investigation into allegations that over 200 Afghan migrants were shot dead on the Iran-Afghanistan border by Iranian military forces on Sunday.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, said in a post on X that “various governmental bodies and diplomatic missions of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have initiated comprehensive investigations into the matter.

“As the incident is reported to have occurred beyond Afghanistan’s borders, the available information remains unverified. A conclusive decision will be made following a thorough clarification of the facts,” he said.

On Tuesday, an Iranian-based human rights organization, Haalvsh, claimed Iranian forces had gunned down at least 260 Afghan migrants near the Kalgan Saravan region in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province on Sunday evening.

According to Haalvsh, survivors of the shooting described horror scenes when Iranian military forces targeted the group.

Haalvsh reported that two survivors said there had been a group of about 300 migrants trying to cross the border when they were shot at and targeted with RPGs.

Iran’s special envoy and ambassador to Kabul, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, has however rejected the claims and said the report is “untrue”.

He said late Wednesday: “The results of direct follow-ups from reliable sources show that the news about the deaths of dozens of illegal citizens at the border of Saravan is not true.”

He stated that preventing the entry of illegal immigrants is the responsibility of Iran’s border forces. Iran is committed to returning Afghan refugees and in this matter, it acts according to international treaties, he added.

The UN’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan Richard Bennett also responded to the claims and said: “I’m seriously concerned about reports of injuries & deaths of Afghans in Iran’s Saravan border area and I call for authorities to investigate transparently.

“Clarity is urgently needed. These reports don’t stand in isolation. More dignity & safety is needed for Afghans worldwide,” he said.

Haalvsh said dozens were also wounded.

“On Sunday evening, dozens of Afghan citizens were targeted by direct fire and RPGs by the Islamic Republic’s military forces who were ambushed in advance at the Kalgan-Saravan border. As a result, dozens of these migrants were killed and dozens more injured,” the organization stated.