The death toll from the junta air strikes on Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, has risen to over 170, according to local sources.
Many civilians, including children, are among the fatalities in what the military council described as an “attack on a National Unity Government (NUG) office,” and many others were injured.
The junta’s air force bombed the opening ceremony of the office of the local People’s Security Force (PSF) on 11 April, and the military regime admitted through the state-run newspaper on 12 April that it had carried out the air strike on the NUG office.
Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun said, “The groups calling themselves NUG/CRPH held an office opening ceremony in Pazigyi village. So-called PDF groups held the opening of the office. It’s true that an attack was carried out on that event. We have heard that so-called PDF members were killed in the attack. These are the groups that oppose the government and the people.”
Sources on the ground said the number of deaths and injuries increased after the second airstrike on the scene, when bodies were taken away for cremation.
“We have now collected and cremated more than 170 bodies. Other than 130 of them were dismembered. We collected the bodies and burned them in the house at the scene. I think everyone has seen the photos on the Internet. It’s horrible. Some of the bodies couldn’t even be identified,” said a source who helped burn the bodies.
Locals said earlier that the death toll from airstrikes on 13 April exceeded 160 and that the victims were from Pazigyi, Ywartharyar, Laytwinzin, Meizataw, Malel and Htanaungkainggyi villages.
The European Union, France, Germany and Norway strongly condemned Myanmar’s military regime for the attack and called for action against those responsible.
In addition, ASEAN rotating chair Indonesia announced that ASEAN countries strongly condemned the mass killing of people in Pazigyi village.
The regional bloc chairman said in the statement that it is necessary to immediately stop all terrorist attacks, including the use of force against civilians, and that only if terrorist attacks can be stopped can a situation be reached in which all-inclusive talks can be held to achieve lasting peace in Myanmar.
Sent by NMG.