According to Dooplaya District’s News and Information Officer, a student was killed and 3 were injured when a large weapon exploded near a basic education high school (sub-division) in Kawkareek No.2 Ward, Kawkareik Township, KNU – Dooplaya District.
“Yesterday (October 13), at 12:25 in the afternoon, the artillery under the SAC Kawkareik- based No. (12) Operations Command Headquarters opened fire with heavy weapons to the vicinity of Kawkareik city, causing explosion near High School,” he said.
“They are being shot at either by drones or snipers these days, and they are firing heavy weapons around Kawkareik town. This is a routine they do,” said the Dooplaya District’s News and Information Officer.
It is also reported that bullets fired by the SAC military was explored while returning home from school after the students’ half-year exam time.
“4 people were hit by the weapon and a person died on the spot. We are investigating the type of ammunition. The school is not closed yet and they are still taking exams,” he continued.
Due to the explosion, a 6-year-old first-grade student, Naw Wai Wai Hnin from Nang Koto village of Yelae Myaing village tract in Kawkareik Township, was injured in her legs and arms. A fourth grader,12-year-old Naw Kukuk Phaw was taken to the hospital with a leg injury.
In addition, 16-year-old Naw Su Yin Aye, a ninth-grade student from Nang Ko Toe Village, was also injured by bullets on both thighs. 12 years old Naw Moe Moe Aye, a fourth-grade student, died on the spot due to bullet wounds all over her body.
“The children started taking Myanmar exams yesterday. My daughter is also taking the exam. My daughter is not from that school. They haven’t finished yet because of the multi-language test. The weapon that fell yesterday was not in the school. It fell in a field near the school. It was on the way back to school, so the school was not closed,” said the mother of a student from Kawkareik.
In the SAC military’s propaganda news media, it was stated that the process of the explosion of the weapon and the death of the students, were taken place due to a drone bomb by the KKO breakaway group and the People Defense Forces (PDF), but it was learned from the local people that it was only shooting by the SAC Military.
“I heard that a large weapon hit the school and the children were injured. I didn’t know the exact incident until I walked a little distance from my house. They were also throwing large shells from the 97 army. Whether it’s a battle or not, I haven’t heard anything at the moment,” said a resident of Kawkareik town.
Last October 3, a resident of Anfa Gyi Village of Kawkareik township was injured by a bullet fired by the SAC military and 3 houses in the village were also damaged by bullets.