A woman was killed and a man injured when a bomb exploded outside the military council’s battalion (Tatkon) in the town of Payathonzu, Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State, on the afternoon of 22 February, according to local residents.
The explosion occurred around 2:45 pm near the entrance to No.32 battalion located on the Bayintnaung Road, killing the woman and injuring her husband, who were riding in the auto-rickshaw.
The blast killed the wife of the couple in their 30s on the spot, and the husband was seriously injured and taken to Mawlamyine Hospital for treatment, a local resident said.
“Barricades have been erected in front of the junta’s Battalion 32. Some empty tanks have also been placed there as barricades. It’s so narrow that two cars can’t drive side by side. The bomb exploded around 2:45 pm when the couple was on their way back after the husband picked up his wife, who was working in a shoe factory. The wife was killed on the spot and I think the husband was seriously injured and taken to Mawlamyine Hospital,” said a Payathonzu resident.
Residents suspect that the bombs that exploded were most likely planted by the military regime soldiers themselves, as they were near the entrance to their battalion.
“After 6 pm, no one was allowed to pass the barricades. So, it couldn’t have been anyone other than the junta soldiers themselves who planted the bombs. The bombs must have been planted by the military council,” the resident claimed.
After the explosion, residents are worried because the scene is on a street open to the public.
“Placing a bomb on a public street isn’t acceptable. Now that people are affected by it. This is very dangerous for people,” said another resident.
Residents report hearing explosions and gunshots every day in Payathonzu.
On 23 February, a combined Karenni resistance force set fire to the immigration office, the general administration office, and the forestry office.
After declaring martial law in Kyainseikgyi Township, the military council also imposed a curfew on the township.
Sent by IMNA.
