One local was killed and 12 others were injured in a mortar attack by the regime forces in KNU-held Thaton District between January 6 and 14, Brigade 1 reported.

The battalions under junta’s Division 44 fired heavy weapons into the villages in Kyaikto, Thaton and Hpa-an of KNU-controlled territories on a daily basis.

The infantry battalion 2 launched two 60-mm mortar rounds into Hle Lan Ku village of Winkalaw village tract in Kyaitio around on January 6, injuring  U Kyaw Myint, aged 63, and Ma Phyu Hnin Thu , aged 16.

In another incident, the Light Infantry Battalion 207 and artillery unit 310 launched eight mortar shells into Thone Khwa village, killing 26-year-old Ko Zaw Moe Lwin and injuring six others including seven-year-old Htet Myat Lamin on January 7.

In the meantime, four residents were hit by mortar explosions fired by the junta unit stationed near Painnetaw village in Thaton.

More than 3,000 local residents of Thathon District have fled to shelters due to the military council’s artillery shelling and are in need of assistance, the secretary of KNU (Thaton District) told Than Lwin Times.

According to the KNU, five locals were injured and 14 homes were destroyed as a result of mortar shelling by the military regime in Thaton District, which was held by KNU Brigade 1.