Five locals, including two women, were injured by the military council’s drones, mines, and heavy shelling in three townships of Nyaunglebin District, within KNU’s Brigade-3, during the New Year, according to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU) (Central).
On 31 December 2024 and 1 January 2025, 120-mm shells fired by the military council hit and injured a woman and a man in Mone Township.
The junta’s drone bomb attacks injured a woman and a man in Shwegyin Township.
A displaced man from Natthankwin said, “The junta carried out targeted shelling on the villages. In recent days, heavy shells hit two civilians in the villages with paddy farms. One civilian had his leg severed, while another, with a wound to his back shoulder, remains in the hospital. We had to flee to another location to escape the danger.”
In its statement, the KNU (Central) reported that a man who stepped on a landmine planted by the military council in Kyauktaga Township sustained severe wounds and lost both of his legs.
The junta’s targeted airstrikes on two villages also destroyed and damaged civilian homes.
The junta’s propaganda on social media countered by claiming that the local residents were affected by landmines planted by the KNU.
Since the coup, Nyaunglebin District has witnessed frequent battles. Out of the seven KNU districts, Nyaunglebin has the highest number of IDPs, largely due to the junta’s raids and transportation blockages in the villages.
The people in the district are facing significant challenges, including communication difficulties and socio-economic hardships.
Similarly, the military council’s shelling and airstrikes, even on holy days, occurred not only in Nyaunglebin District but also in KNU’s Brigade-1 (Thaton District) and Brigade-5 (Hpapun District).
Residents reported that the people were forced to flee in fear due to the relentless attacks.
Sent by KIC