The number of civilians who were killed by heavy shelling since the “Operation 1111” by the joint Karenni revolutionary force from 11 to 13 November, has reached 20, according to the statement by the Karenni Human Rights Group released on 14 November.
Among those killed are the civilians from Moebye and Pekon Townships including those from the wards in Loikaw Township of Karenni State.
Those killed in the shelling are 13 men and four women. The remaining three can be unidentified.
In addition, the aerial bombardment killed a man and wounded a woman, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group.
At around 6 am on 14 November, the heavy shell which landed in Minsu ward in Loikaw hit and killed a displaced couple, locals said.
The couple moved to Narnattaw ward in Loikaw from Phruso Township last year. After the launch of “Operation 1111”, they again moved from Narnattaw ward to Minsu ward. They are the civil servants working under the military council.
A local from Minsu ward said: “More than three rounds of heavy shells landed in the ward at around 6 am today. Heavy shelling killed two persons. They moved from Narnattaw ward. Shelling also destroyed houses. At this time, when we heard the sound of weapons, we crouched down and didn’t even dare to raise our heads. We dare not to go outside. I have to do it just to save my life.”
Till 11 November since the launch of “Operation 1111Ó, the military council has been carrying out constant firing of heavy shells into wards in Loikaw. Locals don’t dare to go outside and are said to be stranded. The The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) has called on locals to stay in safe places.
According to the data collected by the IEC from 11 to 14 November, heavy shelling killed 14 civilians in Moebye and Loikaw Townships.
The IEC continued to say that the death toll could be higher.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times