An elderly woman was killed and six villagers were seriously injured in an artillery and knife attack on a Buddhist temple by the Burma Army in Loilem District, Southern Shan State on the morning of 12 September.
About 40 soldiers from Burma Army Battalion No. 12 fired long-range weapons at the temple in Nong Bar Deb Village, 18 miles (29 kilometres) south of Mong Pawn Township in Loilem District, while locals gathered at the site to make offerings to monks for the full-moon day, a Buddhist holiday.
After the artillery attack stopped the soldiers allegedly continued the assault with knives.
A senior official from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), an armed group, which is active in the area, said that Burma Army troops first fired weapons from outside the village at about 11 a.m.
He reported that a local woman, Pa Kya, age unknown, was immediately pronounced dead at the scene.
A local source said that the most seriously injured person is at hospital in Taunggyi, five other injured people are currently being treated at the local hospital in Mong Pawn, and four people have been detained by the Burma Army.
A male resident of Nong Bar Deb village who survived the attack explained that after the Burma Army troops shot into the temple, they entered the temple grounds and chased the villagers with knives.
According to his account, another local resident, Sai Dong, age 40, was shot, rendering him unable to run. When he was apprehended, a Burma Army soldier then allegedly stabbed him in both his right leg and arm.
Sai Dong was initially initially admitted and treated at the local hospital in Mong Pawn before being transferred the next day to Sao Jarm Tun hospital in Taunggyi, the Shan State capital.
A nurse from Sao Jarm Tun hospital described Sai Dong's condition as critical. She said: “His wounds are getting worse."
The other five villagers, who are believed to have non-life threatening injuries, are all being treated at Mong Pawn Hospital.
They are: Sai Sarng Shwe, age 30, with stomach wounds; Nang Kham Moe, age 30, with wounds to her hands; Nang Kaw, age unknown, with leg wounds; Sai Aik Pea, age unknown, with leg wounds; and Sai Mea, age unknown, who was wounded throughout his body.
Last week soldiers from Burma Army Battalion No. 12 also fought with soldiers from the RCSS/SSA at Mong Pawn Township, which resulted in the deaths of three Burma Army soldiers and one RCSS/SSA soldier.
On 11 September, the Tai Freedom news agency, reporting in the Shan language, said that seven villagers in Muse Township, Northern Shan State were taken from their village by the Burma Army. No news on their condition, location or release was available at the time of reporting.
By Sai Aw / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
