A junta airstrike destroyed the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) church in Hsenwi (Theinni) Town, northern Shan State at around 9:45 am on 27 October 2024.
A bomb dropped by the aircraft directly hit the church causing the building to collapse. The airstrike also destroyed three cars, a refrigerated coffin and loudspeakers, according to a church official who spoke to KNG.
He said: “The church building was completely destroyed in the attack, and the estimated damage could reach as high as 1 billion MMK.”
The junta airstrike on the evening of 27 October also hit two other locations in Hsenwi Town, the general administration office, and an area near the Hsenwi Hotel. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of the airstrikes.
A local suggested that the junta's airstrike hit the church by accident and that it was likely targeting a guesthouse about 50 metres east of the church, where it was reported that officers of the Kokang armed group, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) were staying.
He said: "There have been reports that Kokang officers and businessmen used to stay at a guesthouse east of the church. That's why locals are too afraid to live nearby and do their best to avoid the area.”
The junta has frequently launched airstrikes in areas of northern Shan State where it believes MNDAA and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) troops are staying.
According to a 27 October 2024 report by the Human Rights Activity Network (HRNA), junta airstrikes in northern Shan State over the past year from 27 Oct 2023 to 26 Oct 2024 have caused 107 deaths and left 320 people injured.
HRNA was formed in July 2020 by five groups, the Ta’ang Women’s organisation, Ta’ang Students and Youth Union, Ta’ang legal Aid foundation, Paungsee Arr Institute-PAI , New Star Law Firm.
