Five members of local defense force were killed in a clash between the defense forces and the military council in KhinU Township of Sagaing Region at around 6 am on 19 April, according to the KhinU Township Information Team.
“The military council arrested five locals and burned civilian houses in the villages. The military column suddenly arrived in the western part of Ywathitkone village. We have to flee for safety,” an IDP said.
A military column of around 100 soldiers fired heavy shells into Myakanthar village from Ywathitkone in the west of KhinU Township, in cooperation with the troops from Mutain creek bridge in the east of Myindaung village. Following the heavy shelling, junta soldiers burned the villages, according to locals.
More than 20,000 locals from Inpark, Myakan, Konethar, Mayanin, Chintharkone, Nyaungbinchan, Segyi, Thaekonetaw, Monetaw, Dankone, Aungtha, Inpauk, Kyunswe, Kyunlae, Theindaw and Kyarbin villages in the south-west of KhinU Township, fled for safety.
“Among the IDPs are children. We could not even eat food as we had to flee for safety in the morning,” a woman from Myakanthar village.
Local defense forces ambushed the military convoy. Five members of the defense force died when they withdrew after the ambush, according to the KhinU Township Information Team.
Sent by Htay Htay Aung (Narinjara)