Tabriz police, preventing the 40th-anniversary ceremony from taking place. Colonel Haghshenas, the chief of police, was directly there and in charge of the situation. Meanwhile, Mohammad Tajalli approached Colonel Haghshenas and asked why the police had closed the mosque. Colonel Haqshanas insulted by calling the mosque a "barn" in response. "The barn door must be closed," he replied. Upon hearing this response, the unarmed young guy rushed Colonel Haghshenas and attempted to fight him, but the colonel killed him with his handgun. People carried Mohammad Tajalli's body to the street, where a large demonstration began, with the number of participants growing. Because of the increased population, the roads were blocked, and people attacked wine stores and cinemas, as well as setting fire to the Rastakhiz Party headquarters. In the battle with Shah's security forces, thirteen more people were killed, and the city was shut down. As soon as the news of the rebellion in Tabriz reached Tehran, the chief of police and the governor of Azerbaijan were replaced. 19 February On February 19, 1978, street fighting broke out in Tabriz, lasting over 12 hours. According to the government, nine people were killed. Toll Hundreds were killed or injured as a result of the security forces' operation. According to subsequent inquests, the February incidents in Tabriz left 14 dead and 125 others injured, although other sources give an alternative toll of 27 killed and 262 injured. Aftermath Tabriz incident marked "the first well-planned and efficient defiance" of the Pahlavi regime, and increased the confrontation level with the regime. The 40th anniversary of the "Tabriz massacre" was commemorated in different cities. Mohammad Reza Shah ordered a "top-level investigation team" to Tabriz. References 1978 in Iran Protests in Iran Iranian Revolution History of Tabriz