Junta attack kills 8 civilians, injures 25 in Myanmar’s Laukkaing city

Junta’s recent deployment of heavy weaponry in Laukkaing, a city within the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar’s Shan State, has resulted in the death of eight civilians and left 25 others injured, according to the anti-junta Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on Tuesday. 

The MNDAA said in a statement that the military junta’s two heavy weapons landed near the Crown hotel in Dong Cheng neighborhood in Kokang, bringing civilian casualties. It added that the injured individuals were transported to the hospital, while those who passed away were cremated.

A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, told RFA Burmese that he eye-witnessed the death of several civilians when a shell hit and detonated on a car parked near the Crown Hotel.

“The heavy weapon dropped straight on that car and one of the people in the car and the two others near the car died. Children and women were among the dead,” said the resident. 

He further explained that the incident occurred when troops from the MNDAA positioned near the Sel Ton gate, just outside Laukkaing city, launched an attack on the 77th Division of the military junta as they entered the city. A heavy weapon used in this exchange landed near the Crown Hotel and exploded, resulting in casualties.

The military junta continues to bombard Laukkaing city, and frequent disruptions in internet and telecommunication services have made it difficult to ascertain the full extent of the casualties.

RFA Burmese called Li Kyarwen, a MNDAA spokesman on Wednesday regarding the local’s claim, but he did not respond.

The military junta has yet to issue a statement on this incident as of Wednesday noon. RFA Burmese also contacted Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the State Administration Council spokesman, but the call went unanswered.

Separately, the MNDAA said three civilians were killed and ten were injured on Dec. 24 in an junta’s airstrike in Laukkaing and Hseni (Hsenwi) township.

Between Oct. 27 to Dec. 23, a total of 55 civilians were killed and more than 40 people were injured due to the junta airstrikes in Kokang Region, according to data compiled by RFA based on the MNDAA’s statements. 

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.