Two residents of Ahlu (West) village in Ahlu vilalge tract in Bilin Township, Mon State, were seriously injured when they were hit by artillery shells fired from a Myanmar Army base at the foot of Ahlone Taung on 6 May, according to sources on the ground.
Starting at 9 pm that day,the junta base deliberately fired at least nine artillery shells that hit and exploded near a house in Ahlu village, injuring the married couple on their hands and temples, a resident said.
“The artillery shell fell near the house of Ko Nay Myo and Ma Khin Sann Yi. Ko Nay Myo’s wound is so severe that his hand would have to be amputated. Ma Khin Sann Yi was hit on the temple,” he told Karen Information Center.
The victims were taken to Bilin Hospital overnight for treatment, but due to their condition, they were urgently transferred to Thaton General Hospital, the resident added.
In addition, artillery shells fired by Myanmar Army troops also exploded in Ahlu Ahlelywar, damaging two houses and forcing residents to flee to safety, according to local sources.
Junta forces reportedly fired artillery shells at Ahlu village around 8 pm on 5 May to ensure the safety of a military convoy that was to pass through Yangon-Mawlamyine Road. Joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) then ambushed the army’s ambush patrols with mines, killing three junta soldiers and injuring three others, according to the resistance forces.
A member of the joint force said that despite the fact that the fighting was relatively quiet, the 50-100 soldiers stationed in Ahlone Taung had been reinforced by additional troops.
“We have heard that the army has reinforced its position. They could fire artillery again at any time. They have been doing that since the clash in Ahlu village. They deliberately targeted Ahlu village. The residents had to flee their homes again and again,” he said.
Also on 29 April, artillery shells fired from the Myinthar Taung military base in Bilin hit and exploded near Ahlulay village after a firefight between joint resistance and junta forces.
A similar incident also occurred when regime forces responded with artillery fire after the Thantadar checkpoint was attacked by a joint resistance force using drones. As a result, shells hit the village of Thapyayni, killing one resident and injuring another.
Sent by KIC.