Yaser Ozbakzehi, a young Baloch Sukhtbar, lost his life as a result of gunfire by the border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the border regions of Nimruz County. His brother had also been wounded approximately two weeks earlier in a similar incident in the same area after being targeted by direct fire from border forces.
According to Kolbarnews, on Monday, May 18, 2026, Yaser Ozbakzehi, a 19-year-old son of Habib and a resident of the border areas of Nimruz County, was transporting fuel along the county’s border strip when he was struck by direct gunfire from border regiment forces and killed.
According to published information, border forces opened fire on the Baloch Sukhtbar without prior warning. During the shooting, a bullet struck Yaser Ozbakzehi in the face near his ear. Due to the severity of his injuries, he died at the scene.
Reports also indicate that Yaser Ozbakzehi’s brother was wounded approximately two weeks earlier after being shot by border forces in the Nimruz border region. However, the identity of this Baloch citizen has not yet been confirmed, and no further details regarding his physical condition are currently available.
The continued targeting of Sukhtbars and kolbars by military forces in the border regions of Baluchistan and Kurdistan continues to threaten the lives of citizens who are compelled to engage in these activities to secure their livelihoods.
Sukhtbari is considered one of the unconventional and dangerous jobs that many Baloch people in Balochistan have been forced to turn to due to the lack of suitable and stable employment. Accidents, vehicle overturns, and direct gunfire from military and security forces are among the dangers that threaten the lives of these Sukhtbars.
According to the 2025 annual report of the Baluchistan Human Rights Documentation Network, at least 262 Sukhtbars were killed or injured. Of these, 173 Sukhtbars lost their lives due to gunfire by military forces, road accidents during pursuits by security forces, or explosions caused by mines planted by the IRGC, while 89 others were injured. Four child Sukhtbars were among those killed.
