Three people including a two-month-old baby were killed in a junta airstrike targeting the Chinese Baptist Church and its surrounding area in Kutkai Town, northern Shan State.

At around 12:00 am on 17 November a junta aircraft dropped a 500 pound bomb on the church in Ward Four of Kutkai Town in Kutkai Township. The bomb blast killed the infant, its mother and an elderly woman.

About 10 people were injured, but some of them have been badly injured and there might be further deaths, according to a Kutkai Town resident.

He said: “The aircraft dropped a single 500-pound bomb. Three civilians have been confirmed dead, but seven of the 10 injured are in critical condition, so the death toll could rise. There are also people missing.”

The airstrike destroyed five houses and caused damage to the Chinese Baptist church and several stalls in the nearby Yaehtwetoo Park Market.

But, despite the damage to the market, some vendors still opened their stalls amidst the debris because they needed to earn money, according to another Kutkai Town resident.

He said to KNG: “The bombing occurred in the middle of the night, but the vendors had opened their stalls by the next morning. They were in shock from the attack, but still needed to earn a living.”

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has controlled Kutkai Town since 7 January 2024, when forces from the TNLA and the Three Brotherhood Alliance took over the town.

According to a TNLA statement the airstrike killed three civilians and injured 13. It also warned the public to remain vigilant, avoid gatherings, and follow airstrike safety measures.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), since the 1 February 2021 coup until 13 November 2024 the junta has killed approximately 8,545 civilians and pro democracy activists. Of those deaths 5,945 have been verified and a further approximately 2,600 deaths still have to be confirmed.

AAPP is a human rights organisation that advocates for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Myanmar and for the improvement of their quality of life during and after incarceration.

Also, since the coup until June 2024 the junta carried out about 2,500 airstrikes across Myanmar destroying 204 religious buildings, 57 health facilities, and 207 schools, according to a 23 September statement from the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC). The NUCC is an advisory body to the National Unity Government (NUG).