Two children lost their lives and several civilians sustained injuries in the recent clashes that erupted between the Military Council and the People's Defense Forces (PDF) in Naung Cho (Nawnghkio) Township of Kyaukme District, Shan State.
On April 5th, at approximately 4:30 PM, a fierce skirmish erupted between the Military Council and the PDF in the vicinity of Thanbo village, close to Naung Cho. During the clash, an artillery shell launched by the Military Council struck and exploded in a civilian residence, locals said.
"The shell landed directly on the victims' house, claiming the lives of an 11-month-old infant and his 14-year-old sister. Their parents sustained critical injuries and have been transported to Pyin Oo Lwin Hospital for urgent medical attention”, an unnamed villager told Shan Herald.
Sai Wah Wah Tun, an 11-month-old infant, and Ma Nan Ma Aye, a 14-year-old teenager, were fatally hit by artillery fire from the Military Council, which targeted the village, according to locals.
During the conflict, the Military Council used 120 mm heavy artillery to shell Kone Nyaung village on at least ten occasions, resulting in the destruction of around eight acres of sugarcane plantations. Furthermore, a vendor selling betel nuts along the roadside was also injured by shrapnel.
"The explosion of artillery shells sparked a fire that eventually engulfed the sugarcane fields, destroying a total of 8 acres. However, the extent of the damage may not be fully accounted for. Additionally, a street vendor who was selling betel nuts in Kone Nyaung village was hospitalized after being hit by shrapnel”, the source said.
The Military Council troops entered Thanbo village at approximately 6:00 PM, after the conflict had subsided, and established their presence there, according to locals.
Based on the assessments of local sources, there are presently approximately 500 Military Council troops and 400 PDF personnel operating in Naung Cho.
An anonymous young man informed the Shan Herald that some locals have fled their residences in order to evade the consequences of the ongoing conflict in the area.
"Several individuals fled to the nearby town, while others sought shelter with their relatives. Some of them are currently residing in temporary accommodations. The actions of both the PDF and the Military Council in Naung Cho have essentially opened a new war front, and unfortunately, it is the civilian population that will bear the brunt of the suffering”, he commented.
The residents of several villages, including Hohke, Ye Oo, Lweingin, Kone Nyaung, and Kone Gyi in Kone Gyi village tract, as well as Innma village in Banbwe village tract and Thanbo village in the eponymous village tract, all located in Naung Cho Township, are currently being displaced due to the conflict.
In addition, a landmine was triggered by a man walking towards the sugarcane fields in Kone Nyaung village on the morning of April 3rd.
Furthermore, during February, over 500 individuals were forced to flee due to intense clashes between the coup Military Council and the PDF in the region, and a civilian was fatally shot by troops belonging to the Military Council.
