More than 3,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes after Myanmar army troops stationed on the hill near Nakhantaw village in Launglon Township in Tanintharyi Region shelled nearby villages with artillery, according to locals.
Locals said that the continuous shelling by the junta army came after their position on the hill was attacked by the joint local defence forces on the afternoon of 14 July.
As a result of the shelling, nearly 3,000 people from six villages, including Nakhantaw, Khamaungtaw, Taungminpyin, Meohnauk, Hteindwin, and Sakhangyi, were forced to flee to safety, according to locals.
Myanmar army troops reportedly took up positions on the hill near Nakhantaw village after entering Launglon Township on 12 July.
Locals reported that a 16-year-old girl was fatally hit by shrapnel and another man was wounded during the army’s shelling.
Launglon Township saw intense tension between the Myanmar army and local defence forces after junta troops entered the township in early July.
According to reports from a local research group, more than 25,000 people were displaced due to armed clashes between the two sides and artillery fire by the Myanmar army.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.