Myanmar Navy shelling kills young man in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 08 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
8 May 2024, Kyaukphyu

A civilian was reportedly killed after a mortar shell fired by a Myanmar Navy vessel landed and exploded on Gantgar Island in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, on Wednesday afternoon.

Maung Hsan Min Phyo, 18, was hit by shrapnel while he was at a monastery in Gantgar (West) Village and was killed on the spot, locals said.

“An artillery shell fell and exploded in the village while the victim was at a monk’s mess hall of the monastery. The young man died on the spot but other people were unharmed,” said a villager.

At least four Myanmar Navy ships docked near Phayonethee Island between Gantgar Island and Sanae Town fired at least seven mortar shells into the village from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 8.

Mortar shells fired by the Myanmar Navy fell and exploded in a pond used by the villagers and on some hills. An unexploded mortar shell was also reported in Gantgar Village.

“Mortar shells fell on multiple locations. A mortar shell landed near Ko Than Maung Yaing’s house but it did not explode,” said another villager.

Most local people dare not stay in the village and have fled to safer locations due to the junta’s artillery strikes.

A junta drone attack on a bazaar in Sanae Town, part of Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, killed a local woman and wounded at least three others on Wednesday morning.

A local was killed and two others were injured after the regime carried out airstrikes on Thitkatoe and Layponekyauk villages near Sanae Town on April 25.

Hostilities between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) broke out in Kyaukphyu Township in January, but there is currently no fighting in the area.