Afghan Officials Confirm Deadly Border Shooting
At least ten Afghan nationals were shot dead by Iranian border guards while attempting to cross into Iran. Afghan authorities confirmed the incident on Tuesday and described it as one of the deadliest cases along the tense frontier this year. Officials said the group crossed into Iranian territory late on Monday. They entered through the Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi border point. They reportedly hoped to find work inside Iran.
Mohammad Nasim Badri, spokesperson for the security command in Farah province, provided details to state-run Hurriyat Radio. He said the victims were all residents of Farah. He confirmed that they had crossed the border illegally. He added that Iranian guards opened fire shortly after the men entered Iranian territory. Badri stated that the incident warranted a full investigation. He also revealed that two other Afghans from the same group remain missing. Afghan authorities are searching for them.
Iran has not yet issued any statement regarding the shooting. Afghan officials said they expect an official response soon. They stressed the need for cooperation with Tehran to prevent similar incidents. They also highlighted the ongoing risks faced by Afghans attempting informal border crossings.
Tensions Rise Along the Iran-Afghanistan Border
The shooting occurred amid rising friction along the Iran-Afghanistan border. Tehran has stepped up security along the frontier during recent months. Iranian authorities have also forcibly returned large numbers of Afghan refugees. Many Afghans fled instability, unemployment, and economic collapse after the political transition in Afghanistan.
Rights groups have repeatedly warned about harsh treatment of Afghan migrants in Iran. They say growing economic pressures inside Iran have increased hostility toward undocumented workers. Afghan officials argue that many citizens attempt illegal crossings due to limited opportunities at home. They also claim that border violence continues to worsen humanitarian conditions.
Afghan authorities urged both sides to address the situation through dialogue. They insisted that preventing further deaths should remain a priority.
