At least three residents were killed and many were injured when the shells fired by junta troops exploded in Pyar Sakhan village, Than Taung Gyi Township, Karen State, on May 2nd, according to locals.
A 30-year-old man from the village said that there was no fighting in the vicinity of the village, but the junta soldiers stationed at the 13-mile gate opened fire with heavy weapons, and at least five shells exploded inside Pyar Sakhan village.
” A shell fell on a Karen old couple’s house, and both died. Then another woman died when another shell fell nearby. We don’t know exactly how many people died. Many people were injured,” he told MPA.
A 40-year-old woman from the village added that at least 15 houses were damaged by the explosion.
“We ran and hid in bomb shelters when the shells fell in the village. They usually fire heavy weapons. But it rarely falls inside the village—just one. Now they are shelling continuously, and we did not dare leave from hiding that day. All the lights went out. Today the shells do not fall any more,” he explained.
A local man said that two soldiers who were riding motorcycles on the road near Pyar Sakhan Village were chased and shot by revolutionary forces a few days ago.
“I heard that they were only wounded when they were shot, but they did not die. The day after they were shot, they attacked the village with heavy weapons. They deliberately fired heavy weapons because there were revolutionary soldiers in the village, but only our villagers were injured,” he said.
An official of the social organization added that Taung Ngoo social organizations went to pick up the injured and trapped local people who were hit by heavy weapons in Pyar Sakhan Village.
“Those who were injured were sent to Taung Ngoo Hospital, and other people who fled the village were sent to Nagar Yone IDP Camp. They left in an emergency, so they did not bring anything. Please, come and donate rice, clothes, and medicines,” he urged.
Pyar Sakhan Village, where the shells exploded, is also a place where people from other township villages where battles are breaking out have come to flee.
