Tehran, Iran – In the early hours of Saturday, September 12, 2026, the city of Saravan in southeastern Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province witnessed rapidly unfolding security developments, marked by the outbreak of what were described as violent armed clashes between Iranian security and military forces and militants believed to belong to the Baluch opposition group “Jaish al-Adl.” According to the Mehr News Agency and corroborating local sources, the confrontations began at approximately 4:00 a.m. in the Bakhshan area. The clashes followed a large-scale raid targeting a house and a gathering point suspected of serving as a base for armed cells. Gunfire and explosions continued in the vicinity for several hours amidst an atmosphere of high tension. The area also saw an unprecedented security mobilization, involving a heavy deployment of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units and law enforcement forces.
The Official Iranian Narrative and Military Operations
According to the official account—confirmed by the province’s deputy for security and law enforcement, as well as reports linked to the IRGC Ground Forces’ “Quds” headquarters—security forces successfully executed a surprise preemptive strike. The operation targeted a gathering point for “terrorist and hostile” elements who were plotting acts of sabotage within the country. Official statements indicate that the operation inflicted heavy human and material losses on the militants and neutralized a large number of them. Meanwhile, specialized units continued combing and pursuit operations to establish full security control and clear the area of any remaining armed elements, all while official details regarding the exact death toll among military and security personnel remained undisclosed.
Conflicting accounts and reports regarding casualties
In contrast, local sources and opposition platforms offered differing accounts of the events on the ground; consistent reports indicated that the clashes persisted for a prolonged period, lasting between seven and nine consecutive hours. Furthermore, the engagement was marked by successive explosions and missile strikes targeting the besieged compound. These unofficial reports cited heavy casualties—including fatalities—among Iranian military and security forces. There was also speculation regarding the possibility that some members of the armed cell managed to break the siege and withdraw before the site was fully secured. Amid conflicting information and the absence of reliable, independent casualty figures for either side, a state of tense calm prevails over the neighborhoods of Saravan. Everyone is awaiting further statements detailing the final toll of this bloody confrontation.
