On March 8, military forces at a border area in Nowsud opened fire on three Kolbars (cross border carriers) without warning, injuring them.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the Kolbars were identified as Pouria Abdorahmani-Nejad, Pejman Abdi and Mansoor Abdi, all residents of Salas-Babbai County.

They have been hospitalized and reportedly, their conditions are stable.

Many poor people living in border areas work as Kolbars to make ends meet. This work is illegal and involves carrying loads on foot across national borders. Yearly, dozens of Kolbars are injured and killed from accidents, dangerous conditions, and border guard shootings.