By Ra Wai / MPA
Six civilians, including four women, were killed in an overnight airstrike by the military regime in Taungtha Township, Mandalay Region, according to local reports.
The military junta dropped a 500-pound bomb on Nat Saunt village in Taungtha Township at around 10:30 p.m. on March 4, killing an elderly man, four women, and a 13-year-old boy. The explosion also destroyed 28 homes, according to a local People’s Defense Force (PDF) fighter.
“They dropped only one bomb, but the 500-pound explosive was devastating. It landed near the village’s religious hall. I can’t say exactly how the fire started, but it broke out after the bombing. In previous airstrikes, there were only injuries and structural damage, but this time, the destruction was far worse,” he told MPA.
He added that while casualty reports have been received, details on the injured remain unknown.
“We haven’t yet received the list of injured. Right now, we only have the death toll, but we don’t even have the exact names of the deceased. We’re still in the process of clearing the area,” he said at around 10:00 a.m. on March 5.
In response, the Taungtha People’s Movement Committee has urged residents to build well-structured bomb shelters and remain extremely vigilant, warning that the junta is conducting airstrikes on civilians without warning.
