Elderly man succumbs to shrapnel wounds in Minbya

By Admin 17 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
17 November 2023, Minbya

A junta contingent stationed at Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya, Arakan State, has been firing mortar shells into local residential areas since 6 p.m. on Friday and junta soldiers have also opened firing with small arms indiscriminately, according to residents.

An elderly man in his 60s from Minbya’s Alepine Ward succumbed to shrapnel wounds to his neck due to the junta’s shelling, said a source close to the family of the victim.

“The junta troops have fired mortar shells into downtown Minbya since 6 p.m. yesterday. Junta soldiers also opened fire indiscriminately. An elderly man was killed in an artillery strike. We couldn’t even speak because we were afraid they would shoot,” the source added.

Some civilians were injured when junta soldiers opened fire on sight near Strand Street and Yonetet Street in Minbya at around 9:30 p.m. on November 17, with locals reportedly living in fear.

“Some residents were reportedly wounded due to the junta’s indiscriminate firings. It is not yet clear who was injured. Almost all locals are fleeing to safer locations in fear. Junta soldiers opened indiscriminate retaliatory firings on local people for supporting the AA,” said another Minbya resident.

DMG phoned junta spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun regarding the matter, but he could not be reached.

DMG continues to attempt to investigate the exact number of people injured in indiscriminate attacks by junta personnel in Minbya.