Informants were accused of calling in a deadly airstrikes on a monastery in northern Shan State’s Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town shortly after phone lines to the town were briefly restored.

Around 5:30 pm on 16 March 2025, junta aircraft bombed the Sein Yadanar monastery in Naungcho Town’s South Ward. 14 people were killed on the spot: a monk, eight young novices, three men, and two women, according to locals who spoke to Shan Herald.

Another novice monk later died from his injuries on the morning of 17 March, bringing the death toll to 15, according to a resident of the town.

He said: “Most of the dead were acolytes assisting with various tasks at the monastery and young novices. The town residents often sought refuge in monasteries, as they feared staying at home. The junta, aware of this, deliberately targeted the monastery. On the morning of 17 March, another young novice succumbed to his severe injuries.”

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured Naungcho Town on 26 June 2024. After losing control of the town, the junta carried out heavy airstrikes on downtown Naungcho in January 2025. These caused high numbers of civilian casualties which made residents feel unsafe in their homes and caused many to flee the town.

On 17 March the TNLA issued a statement regarding the airstrike on the monastery and confirming the casualty numbers.

The junta briefly restored the cut-off phone network to Naungcho Town just before the airstrike hit. Many residents believe that the brief resumption of the phone service was linked to the airstrike. They believe that as soon as the phone service resumed informants telephoned the junta and told them to target the monastery.

The previously quoted Naungcho Town resident said: “Palaung [TNLA] troops used to go to the monastery in groups to bathe, but they are not permanently stationed there. It seems likely that informants provided the junta with intelligence about TNLA troops being present at the monastery, which may have led to the airstrike.”

A woman in Naungcho Town who spoke to Shan Herald said: “At present, only locals who cannot afford to leave remain in Naungcho Town. Both sides have blockaded the town’s entrances and exits, making it hard for residents to sustain their livelihoods. With phone lines cut, communication is difficult. However, there is also a constant fear of airstrikes whenever the phone lines are restored.”

As well as launching airstrikes against Naungcho Town in January 2025, the junta also bombed villages around the Ohnmathee intersection between Naungcho Township, and Pyin Oo Lwin Town in Mandalay Region in January, using advanced drones with motion detection technology. These attacks caused casualties amongst resistance forces and civilians and burned down and destroyed homes.

The TNLA has warned people in Naungcho Town and Naungcho Township to stay vigilant and follow guidelines issued to help people protect themselves from aerial attacks as the junta has been launching such attacks on civilian areas where there is no fighting.

In mid-February, the TNLA and the junta held talks in Kunming, China, but the discussions stalled as both sides failed to reach an agreement.