Two civilians died when government forces shelled Kyethi Village in Southern Shan State during the battle to seize the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) camp of Hta-Pha-Saung.
Villagers said U Paw Htaung Ou, 77 years old, from Wamt-Mat-Hu village, Mong Koung-Nong, Swem Village-Tract and U Loan Wa Lin Lu, 53 years old, from Ngu-Lain Village, Wamt Wam Village Tract, Kyethi Township, died when government artillery shells hit their houses on 3rd to 4th October.
A member of a political party who was already in the area for an SSPP/SSA relief programme said: “Hta-Pha-Saung camp was attacked with government artillery shells all day but they [government forces] could not seize the camp. In the evening, they launched an artillery attack on Ngu-Lain village. At that moment, U Loan Wa Lin Lu was in his kitchen and a shell killed him on the spot.
Loan Ou (aka) U Paw Htaung Ou from Wamt-Mat-Hu Village was also killed by a shell in his yard. His son suffered 15 wounds to his body. He is still alive, but his situation is serious and we are worried about him.”
Over the four days of fighting government forces attempted to seize the camp but failed. There were also at least 25 other battles fought in the area.
SSPP/SSA is an armed force that signed a union-level peace agreement with the Naypyidaw government.
