IDP woman killed, three others wounded in BGF artillery strike in Maungdaw Twsp

By Admin 12 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 January 2024, Maungdaw

An internally displaced person (IDP) was killed and three others were injured after an artillery shell fired by a Border Guard Force unit fell and exploded in Yaynauk Ngarthar Village in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township at around 1 a.m. on January 12.

The deceased IDP woman has been identified as 33-year-old Ma Khin Khin Aye. Ma Than Aye, 34, sustained shrapnel wounds to her chest and Daw Khin Ma Sein, 60, and Maung Thein Zaw Naing, 13, also suffered injuries.

“A junta artillery strike killed an IDP woman and wounded three others in the village. Of the three injured, Ma Than Aye is said to be in critical condition,” said a local resident.

The victims are from Thetkanyar Village in Maungdaw Township, and the injured are currently taking shelter in Yaynauk Ngarthar Village. They were injured in the junta artillery strike while returning from Yaynauk Ngarthar Village to Thetkanyar Village after transporting rice.

The injured are currently being treated at Maungdaw Hospital. Locals accused a Border Guard Force (BGF) outpost in Tamanthar Village of firing mortar shells intentionally without any fighting near the village.

“I am sure that the mortar shell was fired by the BGF. The mortar shell was fired from a BGF outpost,” said a family member of the deceased.

An artillery shell fired by the No. 5 Border Guard Force injured a local man in Bawdigon Village, Maungdaw Township, on the evening of January 11.

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.