TEHRAN - The January 3, 2024, terrorist attack in Kerman was the worst act of terrorism on Iranian soil to this day. The twin explosions that ripped through the southeastern city of Kerman on the martyrdom anniversary of Iran’s anti-terror icon General Qassem Soleimani killed 94 civilians and injured dozens of others. 

On the day of the incident, as the Iranian nation was overcome with shock and horror at the heinous act emergency workers had no time to take in what was happening. They rushed to get the wounded to the hospitals and with a dismal heart, collected the remains of the slain victims some of whom were no longer recognizable due to the extent of their injuries. 

While Iranians mourned for every single person whose innocent life was taken in a split second, a picture circulating on the internet made people’s hearts ache even more. “Body parts, girl in pink jacket, heart-shaped earrings, probably 2 years of age” was written on one small body bag engulfing the dead body of a young girl. An emergency worker had hastily inscribed these words on the bag to assist in identifying the victim amid the urgency of the situation.

That bag contained the tattered body of an 18-month-old baby girl, Reihaneh Soltaninejad, who was killed alongside her mother and six other family members in the Kerman terrorist attack. 

Only one person stayed behind to mourn the death of the family members, Reihaneh’s father whose pain and suffering seemed to be immeasurable as he held a picture of his beloved daughter inside a classroom filled with young female students. “I haven’t lost my daughter; she will always stay with me,” he said as he tried to put on an encouraging smile to console the pupils.

In subsequent interviews with Iranian media, Reihaneh's father again tried to appear strong for the Iranian nation. Despite his exhausted visage betraying his profound devastation, he spoke of martyrdom and endurance. The grieving father, spouse, and brother seemed to deeply believe that the memories of his loved ones would endure and those safeguarding the nation's borders would not allow this tragedy to go unanswered. He was confident that the ones responsible for the loss of Reihaneh and others would face justice.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the mourning father was finally informed that the proponents of his family’s tragic death had received a part of their reckoning. “When I saw the news today, I was very happy. This act was a source of strength for us and the bereaved families affected by the Kerman attack. I am extremely grateful,” he expressed, acknowledging the successful IRGC attacks on Mossad and Deash bases in Iraq and Syria. 

A picture moving around on the internet on Tuesday showed the same words written on Reihaneh’s body bag. “Girl in pink jacket” was this time inscribed on powerful missiles, instead of shrouds.