The 3 heavy weapons fired by the junta troops fell and exploded inside Phayar Lahar village in Phyu Township, Bago Region, on the evening of March 7, killing 4 people including an 8-year-old child, and burning down 6 houses, according to local residents.

“The villagers ran away because the weapons were falling inside the village. U Maung Myint and his family also ran to their bomb shelter, but before reaching there, the weapon fell on those families. The 4 people were killed and another 4 were seriously injured,” said a 40-year-old woman living in the village.

The 4 dead people are Ma Khin New Oo aged 45, Ma Thin Thin Htwe aged 40, Mg Htet Myet Aung aged 15 and Mg Phyo Pyae Sone aged 8, and the other 4 people were seriously injured, according to a villager man aged 30.

“Daw Yin Than and U Maung Myint had their legs amputated. They are over 70 years old. A 10-year-old boy, Phone Myat Thae, also had his leg amputated. A woman, Thin Zar Thae, also hit her feet. Those are being watched in the situation,” he added.

A war relief worker explained the situation in the region, saying that the junta troops were randomly firing into the village without any reason, so people in many villages were fleeing and their homes were also damaged by fire.

“The villagers are also fleeing. We don’t know when they (junta) will shoot again, so the villagers dare not stay in the village. Other villages are also fleeing. On that day, all 6 houses were burned down, and 2 cows also died,” he said.

Last March 6, the heavy artillery fired by the junta troops reportedly hit a house in Inkwin village, Phayar Lahar village tract, Phyu Township, killing sister and brother, Ma Zin Mar and Mg Min Khant Lwin, and seriously injuring their parents.