On the morning of April 19, during the monks’ alms meal time, the military council launched an airstrike on a monastery in Min Saw village, Bilin Township—within the KNU’s Brigade 1 territory in Thaton District, Mon State—killing three people and injuring at least ten others.
“The first bomb was dropped at around 11 am, followed by a second strike around 1 PM on the same day. The attacks were carried out using 500-pound bombs. Three people including one young novice monk were killed in the attack. At least 10 people were injured. Local residents had gathered around the monastery to prepare meals for the monks. The bombs were dropped before the monks could start their alms meal. Among the injured, some are in critical condition,” the local woman said.
The KNU has confirmed the attack on the monastery, stating that among those injured were two young novices, one senior and one junior.
The KNU also stated that some buildings within the monastery compound were damaged due to the aerial bombardment by the military council.
The military council, which has been targeting civilian villages within KNU-controlled territories, has recently intensified its attacks on religious buildings, including monasteries.
On 15 April, in the KNU’s Brigade-6 Territory, the military carried out an airstrike on the Kanni Sanpya Village Monastery in the Kawkareik Township without fighting.
They dropped 500-pound bombs, killing six civilians and injuring over 30 monks and locals.
Sent by KIC