August 18th, 2022
A total of seven people were injured when a heavy artillery shell hit and exploded in Hteehpoekaloe village tract in eastern Demoso Township on the evening of August 17, said Saya Banya, director of Karenni Human Rights Group.
“It was an explosion of a heavy weapon. I don’t know from where it was fired. But I’m sure that three shells exploded and seven people were injured. One of them was seriously injured. According to initial reports, the others were slightly injured,” Saya Banya said.
In August, about ten people were injured by heavy artillery shelling in eastern Demoso. Locals said the shelling was carried out by the military council’s Battalion No. 102, but that has not been independently verified. Saya Banya also said they have yet to verify which battalion actually fired yesterday’s shots.
“It could have been either by the 102nd Infantry Battalion in Ngwetaung, the 427th Light Infantry Battalion or the 54th Infantry Battalion in Loikaw. And it could also have been fired from the 14th Light Infantry Battalion in Phruso, since it is not far away. But we don’t know where it came from,” said a resident.
Residents of Loikaw also said they heard the heavy gunfire from Loikaw the previous night.
The Karenni Revolutionary Union (KRU) said it clashed with military council troops in Konethar village in Demoso Township between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on August 17th. Locals said it could also have been troops of the military council who fired heavy weapons to the east of Demoso after the fighting.
It is reported that the KRU and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) were involved in the fighting, which may have killed six junta troops and injured some.
Military council troops not only fired heavy weapons but also set fire to a house, according to a statement from KRU. The frequent clashes in Demoso, which take place on a daily basis, have resulted in civilian casualties as heavy weapons have been fired at civilian areas.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times
