Karenni State — A village located in Hpruso Township within Karenni (Kayah) State endured two airstrikes carried out by the Military Council using a fighter jet, resulting in extensive damage to residential homes and school structures, locals said.
At around 10:30 pm on October 4th, the Military Council conducted airstrikes on the unnamed village, even though there were no signs of any ongoing conflict in the area.
"There were no injuries, but our house sustained significant damage. Fortunately, all our family members managed to reach the bomb-shelter in time. We were lucky the bombs didn't hit directly where our family was staying at that time. There are a total of 7 family members living in our house, including 3 children aged 5, 4, and 1”, a village woman told Kantarawaddy Times.
A bomb struck in close proximity to the village school, resulting in damage to classrooms, teachers' lounges, and restroom facilities.
Yet another bomb descended upon the residential areas within the village, resulting in the destruction of four houses and causing additional damage to the surroundings. Some villagers are feeling anxious and have been displaced following the air attack by the Military Council on the village, despite the absence of any ongoing conflict.
"At the time of the attack, I was extremely frightened and concerned for my grandparents. I was overwhelmed by shock and confusion due to the sudden situation, unsure of how to react or handle it properly. The sound of the first bomb near the school alerted us, allowing people to escape. If it hadn't been for that, I can't even imagine how dire the consequences could have been”, a woman residing in the village explained.
The village school has remained closed for the past few days as a precaution against potential airstrikes and shelling attacks, given the ongoing conflict in other parts of Hpruso Township.
In the mentioned village, there is a mix of locals and war-displaced people taking shelter there. During September, villagers faced a situation where artillery shells frequently landed in the village.
As of now, the conflict persists in Hpruso, with the Military Council frequently using 120 mm artillery to indiscriminately target local villages, resulting in the destruction of homes, according to villagers.
