At least 11 airstrikes reported in Paletwa since Arakan Army takeover

By Admin 31 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

31 March 2026, Paletwa, Chin State

The military regime has carried out at least 11 airstrikes targeting civilian areas in Paletwa Township, Chin State, since the Arakan Army took control on January 14, 2024, according to data collected by DMG.

At least 32 civilians have been killed and 39 others injured in the aerial attacks, the data shows.

Residents said they are living in constant fear due to continued bombings.

“When the regime carried out bombings, they selected civilian areas to attack and then spread propaganda claiming that Arakan Army members were killed. This is their regular pattern. People have to live in constant insecurity and fear of who will be next,” a local man said.

Among the recorded incidents, at least six major attacks directly targeted civilian areas and caused casualties.

On January 15, 2024, one day after the Arakan Army captured Paletwa Township, an airstrike on Kyeelay Village killed four family members, including a child.

On January 29, seven people were killed in an airstrike on Home Village. On February 11, two aerial bombings in Paletwa town killed two people, including a child, and injured four others.

On May 21, 2024, five people, including two women, were killed and 10 others injured in an airstrike on Taronai Village.

On September 29, 2025, a jet fighter dropped three bombs on Paletwa town, hitting houses, shops and a public hospital, killing seven people and injuring 20.

On March 29, 2026, seven people were killed and four others, including children, were injured in an airstrike on Kyaungchaung Village.

At least seven children under 18 have been killed and eight injured in the attacks.

Human rights activists said airstrikes on non-military targets violate international law and constitute war crimes.

“Recent airstrikes have targeted non-military locations such as hospitals, religious buildings, schools, villages, bridges and markets. These actions violate International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law,” a human rights activist in Arakan State said.

He also urged the public to follow safety precautions against aerial threats.

As the regime continues airstrikes on areas it has lost control of, civilian casualties are increasing.

Residents said Paletwa’s importance to the India border trade route and the Kaladan Project may be a factor behind continued attacks on the area.