Four civilians, including a pregnant woman, were injured in shelling by the Pekon-based junta force targeting villages on the east bank of Pekon Lake in Pekon Township, located on the border of Shan and Karenni (Kayah) States, on the evening of 18 January, according to a person assisting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“The shelling hit four people, including a pregnant woman. They were urgently sent to the hospital due to serious injuries. One shell landed outside Loi Paw village, while another landed in Nang Paw Long village,” said the person assisting the IDPs.
The junta’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-336, LIB-421, No.7 Military Operations Command are based in Pekon Township.
On 18 January, clashes occurred between the advancing junta column and revolutionary forces in Moebye and surrounding areas. In response, the military council fired shells into the nearby villages.
The injured pregnant woman is around 23 years old. There are growing concerns among the people due to the junta’s frequent aerial strikes and shelling in Pekon and Moebye Townships, a local woman said.
“During this period of displacement, the IDPs are facing many difficulties. When we return to our villages, they (military council) are firing heavy shells. As a result, we can’t sleep or eat properly. We are always afraid, constantly wondering when they will launch another heavy shell attack,” said the local woman.
Since November 2024, around 100 IDPs, including locals, have fled due to the frequent shelling by the military council’s LIB-336, 421, and 442, which are based in Moebye and Pekon. These shells have been fired into villages on the east bank of Pekon Lake.
The revolutionary forces stated that the military council is reinforcing its troops in Pekon and Moebye as part of its efforts to gain territorial control. As a result, they are conducting shelling, aerial strikes, and drone strikes on civilian areas.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times
