The area is in the Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Kyab is reported to be a cousin of Pema Dorjee, a man who self-immolated in the same area on December 8, 2012. The large number of Tibetans who had gathered at the monastery to observe Chotrul Duechen (Day of Offerings), a religious festival, prevented the security forces from extinguishing the fire, allowing Kyab to accomplish his protest and end his suffering.
The Tibetans were also able to prevent Kyab’s body from being taken into custody, and instead transported it to his home village of Choedkhor, near Xitsang Township in Luchu county.