Frontline sources from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) report that over 30 Kachin youth undergoing military training were killed when the military council bombed the KIA Brigade 8 Territory in Mohnyin District, Kachin State.
A KIA frontline source said that on 31 March, around 5:30 pm, 36 young men at a KIA military training ground were killed when two military council jets bombed the area near the Battalion-5 of Brigade-8 of the KIA.
The frontline source confirmed, “Yes, that’s correct. It happened in KIA Brigade-8 territory. Over 30 people were killed, and more than 20 were injured.”
The area targeted by the military council’s aerial bombings is home to hundreds of young people undergoing military training with the KIA.
As the people of Myanmar mourn the recent powerful earthquakes that struck Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago Region, and Magway Region, the military council has not ceased its offensive and continues to carry out airstrikes on Kachin State.
Regarding the bombing of KIA Brigade-8 Territory, Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said, “At around 5 pm yesterday (31 March), I heard that the junta bombed the area with fighter jets. We have not yet received any exact report about the number of casualties.”
Following the powerful earthquake that struck on 28 March, there are growing calls for an end to the ongoing nationwide fighting. Colonel Naw Bu stated that the KIA continues its offensives as the military council persists with both ground and air offensives in Kachin State.
A Kachin political analyst commented on the military council’s airstrikes, which should have been focused on relief efforts after the natural disaster, saying: “There have been civilian casualties in this situation, as the military is using fighter jets to target earthquake-affected areas and ethnic regions, including Kachin State. This reveals the military’s true nature. In reality, these aircraft should be used for rescue operations. It’s deeply heartbreaking to witness this.”
In addition, the military council bombed La Myan village in Waingmaw Township at least five times using drones on the morning of 1 April.
Sent by KNG
