Monasteries and some houses were reportedly damaged when they were hit by artillery shells fired by military council troops in Tawngmethin village in Pinlaung Township, Shan State.
During the fighting between the Myanmar Army and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Pinlaung and Pekon townships, which has been ongoing for about two months, junta troops have fired artillery indiscriminately almost every day, said a local resident of Pinlaung.
“The Myanmar Army fires artillery shells almost every day. In Kawngmethin, a monastery and houses were damaged by artillery shells. We can’t say exactly how many were damaged. We are not able to access the area,” he said.
Currently, the military council is attacking mainly with heavy weapons, and the fighting continues to be fierce.
In addition, fighting between junta forces and the PDF is still ongoing, said Khun Bway Hone, who is in charge of news and information at the Pa-O National Defense Force – Kham Kaung (PNDF-KK).
“The intensity of fighting remains high and the regime side has repeatedly used artillery shells in recent days. These shells have caused damage to nearby villages and monasteries. Currently, they are attacking mainly with artillery shells. They have also conducted surveillance operations. But they have not carried out air strikes here yet,” Khun Bway Hone said.
On 11 March, the military council carried out an attack on Nam Neint village in Pinlaung Township, destroying the village monastery and killing 22 individuals, including monks.
As a result of the ongoing conflict, residents of Hsawngpyaung, Nam Neint and Tawngmethin villages in Pinlaung Township have been displaced for two months and are unable to return to their homes.
There are currently about 6,000 IDPs in Pinlaung Township, for whom a total of 14 camps have been set up, said a person helping the IDPs.
“The IDPs are still in downtown Pinlaung. They cannot return home yet. The number of IDPs in the area remains at over 5,000 to 6,000, most of whom are currently housed in monasteries and religious buildings. Some 14 camps for IDPs have been established,” he said.
Fighting continues between junta forces and the PDF near the villages of Salong (south), Salong (north) and Hkawngei, which lie on the border between Pinlaung and Pekon Townships.
Sent by the Shan Herald.
