Hana: In the early hours of Thursday, May 14, 2026, at least two Baluch citizens lost their lives after military forces opened fire on a fuel transport vehicle on the Zahedan–Tahlab route in Mirjaveh County.
According to received reports, military units targeted the vehicle with direct fire without any prior warning or stop command. The shooting caused the vehicle to ignite, and the occupants perished as they were trapped within the resulting blaze.
As of the time of this report, the identities of the two Baluch citizens have not yet been confirmed. Local sources stated that the intensity of the fire was so severe that rescue efforts at the scene were impossible.
The lack of sustainable employment opportunities, widespread poverty, and structural discrimination in Sistan & Baluchestan have forced residents of the region into the high-risk occupation of fuel carrying (sookhtbari). This activity results in the death or injury of hundreds of individuals annually due to unregulated shootings by military forces or road accidents.
The Hana Human Rights Organization emphasizes that opening fire on citizens without adhering to legal protocols or the principle of proportionality is a gross violation of the “right to life.” The continued judicial immunity for perpetrators and the lack of accountability from relevant authorities have become a systematic trend in human rights violations across Iran’s border regions.