Toddler killed, civilians injured by junta artillery strikes in Kayin State’s Kawkareik Twsp

By DMG 16 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
16 August 2022, Kawkareik, Kayin State 

A 2-year-old toddler died and five other civilians were injured on Monday when regime troops fired artillery in response to resistance attacks on junta departments in Kawkareik Township, Kayin (Karen) State, according to locals. 

Combined forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army splinter group attacked the central police station, state-owned Myanmar Economic Bank, and the township court in Kawkareik on Monday. 

Kawkareik-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 97 reportedly fired artillery shells in response. Three houses were hit by artillery strikes in Yan Koke Nauk Nai village, killing the 2-year-old and seriously wounding five villagers. A few other people sustained minor injuries. 

The five severely wounded villagers were rushed to Kawkareik Hospital, according to a member of a local social organisation. 

Nine junta soldiers and police personnel including the chief of the Kawkareik Township police force were reportedly killed, and 12 other junta personnel were injured in the resistance attacks. Weapons were also seized, said a KNLA member. 

The Karen fighters also claim to have captured the township law officer and a watchman of the court. Myanmar’s military regime has not yet reported about the fighting. 

Junta troops have since imposed strict checks inside and outside Kawkareik, and are also conducting patrols, according to residents.