Kabul: According to reports, ten Afghan nationals were shot dead by Iranian border guards near the Iran–Afghanistan border.
The police command of Afghanistan’s Farah province confirmed that the incident took place late last night when a group of local residents attempted to cross the border illegally into Iran.
The victims were reportedly trying to enter Iranian territory in search of employment opportunities.
Officials stated that the group had crossed into Iran through the Mal 78 border point without legal documentation when Iranian border forces opened fire.
As a result, all ten individuals lost their lives on the spot. The incident has caused widespread grief in the affected area, while local authorities have begun further investigations into the matter.
Illegal border crossings by Afghan nationals into Iran have been a persistent issue due to economic hardship, unemployment, and instability in Afghanistan.
Many Afghan citizens, particularly young men, attempt to enter Iran in search of better job opportunities, education, or a safer living environment.
These attempts often involve crossing remote and heavily guarded border areas without proper documentation or legal permission.
Incidents of violence have occasionally occurred during such crossings, as Iranian border guards are authorized to prevent illegal entry.
In some cases, attempts to cross the border have tragically resulted in deaths or injuries when border guards open fire on individuals trying to enter illegally.
The Farah province of Afghanistan has been among the regions most affected, with groups of Afghan youth attempting to enter Iran from points such as Mal 78 and other border checkpoints.
Authorities in both countries have periodically increased border security to prevent illegal crossings, while also raising awareness among local communities about the risks involved.
The Afghan government has called on citizens to avoid illegal migration, highlighting the dangers of human trafficking, exploitation, and violent encounters at the border.
These developments underscore the broader economic and social challenges faced by Afghan citizens, which drive many to take extreme risks in search of better livelihoods abroad.
