Local residents report that a 13-year-old child was killed by military junta gunfire while herding goats in Paung Wa village on the west bank of the Chindwin River in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region.
The incident occurred on 20 July when junta troops advancing from Monywa along the river opened fire, leading to the child’s death, according to local residents.
A local resident said: “The child was hit directly in the head, causing it to split open. About 100 soldiers came along the river. The children were herding goats. They were walking up to pagoda hill when they saw the junta soldiers coming. They shot him and hit him directly in the forehead.”
The goatherd children fled when they saw the junta soldiers advancing by water. Another child was also wounded by gunfire in the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to locals.
The deceased child was identified as Maung Min Khant Kyaw (13 years old). Local residents reported that the junta troops dumped the child’s body in a stream near Paung Wa village, which was later found by local residents on late night of 21 July.
Paung Wa village is located on the west bank of the Chindwin River, one mile from Salingyi town.
The day after this incident, according to reports from locals, the junta column retreated to Salingyi town and is currently staying in the area.
“This morning, they appeared to be on patrol, going around Salingyi town. Now they have returned to the town. They haven’t entered the villages yet. They’re only in the town and spread out in places like their camp in Salingyi and monasteries,” said a local.
On 19 July, local defense forces conducted joint operations in several places in Salingyi where the military junta had deployed troops, including the police station and the general administration office.
Two members of the junta and one member of the defense forces were killed in the operation, according to a statement from the local defense forces involved in the operation.
Sent by NMG.