Nearly a week after Afghan migrants were killed and wounded at Iran’s Saravan border, the Taliban have announced that their investigation into the incident has yielded no results. A Taliban spokesperson told Amu that a delegation had been sent to the Kalgon Saravan border to probe the attack, but they have yet to obtain specific details.
Survivors of the incident, which sparked widespread reactions both inside Afghanistan and internationally, described it as a “horrific” experience. Despite the Taliban sending a delegation to investigate, their spokesperson confirmed that no significant progress has been made in uncovering the facts. The Taliban embassy in Tehran also confirmed the lack of developments in the investigation.
One survivor recounted the terrifying scene, saying, “I was with my brother and son-in-law; there were many wounded. When we entered the Iranian border, a Baloch man opened the barbed wire. We crossed about 10 to 20 meters when they flashed lights and then fired. They used artillery—this happened between the Pakistan and Iran borders. It was the Iranian forces who fired.”
In response to the incident, the Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a coalition of diplomats from the former government, issued a statement calling for a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation. The council urged Iranian authorities to hold those responsible accountable and ensure justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, some Afghan citizens have expressed concerns that the Taliban may compromise a transparent investigation due to their diplomatic ties with Iran. “The Taliban, because of their policies and desire to maintain relations with a neighboring country, seem willing to overlook the bloodshed,” said Yalda, a Kabul resident. “If they ignore the deaths of these Afghans, it proves they are enemies of the Afghan people.”
Iranian officials, including Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the country’s special envoy for Afghanistan, denied claims that Iranian border guards targeted the migrants. As of now, the exact number of casualties remains unclear. The Taliban delegation continues to investigate, but the lack of progress has raised concerns over the transparency and thoroughness of the inquiry.
