Locals don’t dare to return home due to the continued military tension following the battles between the military council and the combined force of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) near Alulay and Thabyayni villages in Bilin Township in Thaton District of Mon State on 29 April, according to local news sources.
Fighting took place between the military council and the combined force of the KNLA’s Battalion-3, in Alulay village. Heavy shell fired by the military camp on Myainthar mountain in Bilin exploded near Alulay village. The military council fired heavy shells as the combined force carried out drone attacks on Thantada inspection gate near Thabyayni village in the evening. The shelling killed a local and wounded one other, according to the news sources from the Karen National Union (KNU) and locals.
Following the shooting, locals from Thabyayni, Alulay and Ale villages have fled for safety. They don’t dare return home as tension continues to mount, a local from Bilin Township said.
“There is no fighting today. Most of the IDPs don’t dare return home. Only some people return home to check the situations. Tension continues as both armed forces are on standby. Most IDPs don’t dare return home as fighting may take place at any time,” the local told the Karen Information Center (KIC).
Three junta soldiers and a military informant were killed and many others wounded in the battle in Alulay village that morning, according to some local media.
Pado Saw Aye Naing, Secretary of Thaton District of the KNU said: “The military council fired nine rounds of heavy shells into Alulay village. One heavy shell landed on the road and the rest on the worksites. There were no reports of casualties from civilians and the combined force of the KNLA and the military council.”
According to the revolutionary forces, seven junta soldiers were killed in the battle near Thabyayni village that evening. The Karen Information Center (KIC) is still trying to confirm the news.
Locals fled for safety as the junta soldiers stationed on Ahlon mountain fired heavy shells into Alulay village on 19 April. There were no reports of casualties.
Locals can’t run their businesses well. They find it difficult to survive as they can’t return home, locals from Bilin said.
Sent by Nant Hsan Htee (KIC)