A church was badly damaged by military council bombing, days after martial law was imposed in the Pekon Township.
The regime’s air force bombed Wharikhu village in Pekon Township on the border between southern Shan State and Karenni (Kayah) State, severely damaging the Meidawgu Roman Catholic Church, according to local residents.
“The situation worsened after the military council imposed martial law. Before, they dropped bombs on IDP camps, residential areas, schools, clinics and hospitals. What is worse is that now they are also bombing Meidawgu, a place where there was no fighting before. It is far from the places where fighting took place. We think this is a deliberate bombing in an unexpected place,” said an information office of the People’s Defence Forces – Demoso.
After declaring martial law, the regime’s air force dropped two 500-pound bombs on the church for the first time at about 11:45 pm on 10 February, officials of PDF – Demoso said.
Although no civilians were harmed in the bombing, a gathering square, a lounge, a bathroom, a makeshift shelter for IDPs, and a house were destroyed. After the incident, IDPs there feared more bombing, but some of them were not even able to move.
“I heard that some of the IDPs change places. Some have changed four or five places. They have to move all the time, so some don’t want to move anymore. Because some people were afraid of more bombing, they have to move again,” added PDF-Demoso’s information officer.
Wharikhu village is not an area where resistance forces are active. There have never been armed clashes and only displaced people live there.
Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) officials said military council forces have carried out three airstrikes since martial law was declared.
Two of the three airstrikes targeted residential areas, while one damaged Meidawgu Church.
Sent by NMG.