At least 44 Kolbars killed or Fatally Injured in the First Quarter of the fiscal year in Iran
In the initial three months, (spring season) of the Iranian fiscal calendar 1402 (March 21
Hengaw; Friday, June 23, 2023
In the initial three months, (spring season) of the Iranian fiscal calendar 1402 (March 21 through June 21, 2023), at least 44 Kolbars (cross-border porters) and suffered fatal injuries or killed along the Kurdistan borders, with approximately 77% of these incidents attributed to direct gunfire by Iranian armed forces, according to the documented statistics of the Human Rights Organization of Hengaw.
The report discloses that eight Kolbars have lost their lives, while 36 others severely injured, including two teenagers under the age of 18.
Kermanshah province registered the highest number of casualties, accounting for 28 cases. It is notable that the majority of fatalities among Kolbars, six in total, occurred in the border regions of Baneh city. Furthermore, the borders of the Nowsud district in Pawe city witnessed the highest number of injured Kolbars, totaling 26 cases.
The causes of death or injury were classified as follows:
Direct gunfire: constituted 34 cases, encompassing four fatalities and 30 injuries, approximately 77% of the overall incidents.
Natural causes: A total of six cases, involving three fatalities and three injuries, accounted for approximately 14% of the overall incidents.
Assault and “vehicle strikes”: Three cases, resulting in one fatality and two injuries, accounting for approximately 7% of the overall incidents.
Landmine explosions: one incident, approximately 2% of the overall incidents.
The breakdown of casualties according to the respective provinces is as follows:
Urmia province(WA): Two cases, involving one fatality and one injury.
Kurdistan province (Sanandaj): Fourteen cases, including 6 fatalities and 8 injuries.
Kermanshah province: 28 cases, including one fatality and 27 injuries.
The armed forces responsible for the shootings are as follows:
Border guards: accounted for 27 cases, involving 2 fatalities and 25 injuries.
IRGC: Six cases, including one fatality and five injuries.
Police forces: one case resulting in one fatality.
