Jaysh al-Adl

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Jaysh al-Adl (Army of Justice) was a Sunni Baloch militant group active mainly along Iran’s southeastern border with Pakistan, in Sistan and Baluchestan, and at times across the border in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Formed in 2012 by former members of Jundallah, the group sought independence for Sistan and Baluchestan and greater rights for the Baloch people. Its ideology combined Baloch nationalism with Deobandi-style jihadism and anti-Iranian, anti-Shia sentiment. The group was believed to have operated from Afghanistan and carried out cross-border attacks on Iranian and Pakistani security forces.

Key points
- Leaders and structure: Salahuddin Farooqui led Jaysh al-Adl for most of its existence until his death in 2024 in a joint Iranian-Pakistani operation. His brother Amir Naroui was also a prominent figure but was killed by the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan. Hashem Nokri, once a top commander, was killed in 2018.
- Alliances and designation: The group maintained ties with Ansar al-Furqan and was designated a terrorist organization by Iran, China, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States.
- Activities: Jaysh al-Adl carried out numerous attacks against Iranian security forces, including border guards and IRGC units, as well as cross-border raids into Iran and Pakistan. It claimed responsibility for many operations, including suicide bombings, kidnappings, and ambushes.
- Notable incidents: The group was responsible for several high-profile attacks, such as the 2013 Saravan border-guard killings, the 2019 Zahedan and Chabahar bombings, and multiple attacks on IRGC posts and border outposts across 2014–2024. It also conducted kidnappings of Iranian border guards in 2014 and hostage-related operations in 2018–2019.
- 2023–2024 activity: Jaysh al-Adl claimed attacks on police stations, IRGC targets, and security convoys, including operations in Zahedan and Rask. The group cited opposition to Iranian plans in the Makran coast and broader regional policies as motivations.
- End and merger: In December 2025, Jaysh al-Adl and several other Baloch nationalist groups announced they would merge into a single united organization called the People’s Fighters Front (PFF). This effectively ended Jaysh al-Adl as an independent group, and it was dissolved in 2026.

Context and impact
- The group was part of the broader Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency and was one of several Baloch nationalist and Islamist factions active in the region. Iranian authorities repeatedly announced arrests and killings of Jaysh al-Adl members, including senior leaders, in the years leading up to the merger.
- Iran accused foreign powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, of backing Jaysh al-Adl at times, though such claims are part of ongoing regional tensions.
- The group’s activities contributed to ongoing instability in Sistan and Baluchestan and to cross-border security tensions between Iran and Pakistan.

Today
- After the 2025 merger into the People’s Fighters Front, the legacy and continuity of Jaysh al-Adl’s operations are carried forward under a broader banner with other Baloch nationalist groups. The region continues to experience security challenges linked to separatist violence, regional geopolitics, and ongoing counterterrorism efforts by Iran and its neighbors.