Iran: Senior Police Officer Shot Dead in Daylight Attack in Sistan-Baluchestan; Jaish al-Adl Claims Responsibility

New Delhi: A senior Iranian police officer was shot dead in a brazen daylight attack in Irfan city in Iran’s volatile Sistan-Baluchestan province, highlighting the deteriorating security situation in the region.

The officer, identified as Mahmoud Haghighat, was targeted while travelling in his car, which came under sustained gunfire from unidentified assailants.

A video purportedly showing the attack, in which a white car is riddled with bullets, has gone viral on social media. Despite attempts to escape, the officer succumbed to his injuries. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Police have launched an investigation, but no arrests have been reported so far.

BREAKING:

The moment of the assassination of Mahmoud Haqiqat, commander of the police station in Iranshahr, Iran. pic.twitter.com/25LlOcmyGy

— Daily Iran News (@DailyIranNews) January 7, 2026

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred on the morning of January 7, 2026. Haghighat was serving as the Deputy Commander of the city police station and had previously headed an intelligence unit. According to official sources, he was driving through the city when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle at close range. The viral footage captures a barrage of bullets striking the car, underscoring the audacity of the attack.

Militant Group Claims Responsibility

Responsibility for the killing was later claimed by Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni extremist group active in Iran’s Baluch-majority regions. In statements circulated on social media, the group alleged that Haghighat had played a leading role in security operations against Baluch militants and dissidents, and described the attack as retaliation.

About Jaish al-Adl

Founded in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is an armed Sunni militant organisation that opposes the Iranian government. While the group claims to advocate for the rights of the Baluch people, it is widely known for carrying out violent attacks against Iranian security forces. Over the years, the organisation has been linked to the deaths of numerous police and military personnel.

Sistan-Baluchestan, one of Iran’s poorest and most restive provinces, has long witnessed recurring militant violence amid ethnic tensions, underdevelopment and a persistent insurgency, making attacks of this nature a frequent challenge for Iranian authorities.