Junta shelling injures three villagers in Mrauk-U Twsp

By Admin 08 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
8 January 2024, Mrauk-U

Three civilians were wounded as regime forces shelled villages near the town of Mrauk-U, Arakan State, without there being any fighting in the area on Sunday.

An elderly couple was injured after a mortar shell fired by the military’s Mrauk-U-based regiments landed and exploded in Chaungthit Village, Mrauk-U Township, at about 8 p.m. on January 7.

The injured have been identified as U Aung Kyaw Sein, 61, and his wife Daw Kyan Sein, 55. They sustained shrapnel wounds after the mortar shell landed in front of their home.

“The mortar shell landed and exploded in front of the home while the couple was inside the home. U Aung Kyaw Sein is said to be in critical condition,” said a resident of Chaungthit Village.

U Aung Kyaw Sein sustained shrapnel wounds to his hip and Daw Kyan Sein suffered injuries to her legs. The couple is being treated at Panmyaung Hospital.

A 14-year-old girl, meanwhile, was injured after an artillery shell fired by the military’s Mrauk-U-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 377 fell in Purein (Muslim) Village in Mrauk-U Township at around 4 p.m. on January 7. She is also currently receiving medical treatment at Panmyaung Hospital.

“She sustained shrapnel wounds to her neck. She was lucky because she was admitted to the hospital in time,” said a resident of Purein Village.

Some homes and buildings in Tin Nyo, Ohtein, Thabyaykan and Shwekyinpyin villages were damaged as a junta jet fighter opened fire on the village on the night of January 7.

Civilian casualties continue to rise in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township, inflicted primarily by regime airstrikes, artillery strikes and drone attacks since renewed fighting broke out on November 13.