Junta troops fan out across surrounding villages after deadly attack on outpost near Mon State’s Golden Rock

13 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2022, Kyaikto, Mon State

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, a sacred pilgrimage site in Mon State’s Kyaikto Township that is also known as Golden Rock, remained closed on Thursday after civilians were killed in an attack the day prior on a junta security checkpoint at the base of the hill that hosts the pagoda.

Three women were killed by stray bullets in the firefight. Five junta personnel were seriously injured, and two men and six women also suffered injuries, according to a social organisation based in Kyaikto.

“Five soldiers and police were seriously injured. Three pilgrims from Yangon died of gunshot wounds. Eight others were injured in their thighs and legs,” said a member of the social organisation.

Large numbers of security forces were conducting searches along the Kyaikto-Kinmonchaung Village road as well as in Kyaikto town on Thursday, according to locals.

Junta troops belonging to Division 44 based in Kyaikto entered surrounding villages on Thursday morning, according to a resident of Kinmonchaung Village, prompting more than 4,000 locals from six nearby villages to flee.

“We fled after junta troops entered our village early this morning. Some aircraft flew over last night. Almost the entire village has been deserted. Some have fled into the forest, and some are taking shelter at monasteries,” said a resident of Kadine Kadwek Village.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack on the junta security checkpoint near Golden Rock.