At least six people, including a nine-year-old and a four-year-old child, were killed during intense fighting between the Burma Army (BA) and civilian resistance groups in Yin Mar Pin Township in Sagaing Region on Tuesday, 9 March.
According to Ko Khant, a Nyaung Taw People's Force Defence (PDF) officer, the BA killed them when they shelled a Buddhist monastery in Kantha Letpan Taw with artillery where they were hiding with others during the day long clash. At least 7 others were wounded. The BA also torched some homes and the school in the village, he said, where fighting is still going on.
The officer said no one from his side died and couldn't say whether any BA soldiers died or were injured during the fight.
Locals told NMG that they cannot verify how many houses were destroyed by the regime's shelling because of the ongoing fighting.
Ko Khant said the Yin Mar Pin PDF as well as the Gold Triangle Force for Kani Township and the Special Task Force under the command of Lt Thuein from Yin Mar Pin, fought alongside his unit against 300 regime soldiers.
Maung Hmert Gyi, 4 years, Maung Swam Htet Naing, 9 years, Daw Tin Nyunt, 90 years, Than Maung, 80 years, Daw Thein Hla, 70 years and Daw Moh Moh Win, 30 years, were killed by the shelling.
The military junta hasn't commented on the fighting. When NMG tried to reach the junta spokesperson, he didn't respond.
The Yin Mar Pin PDF said they killed at least 14 soldiers in a raid on a BA column near Bang Bwe on 4 March. The NMG couldn't independently confirm this information.
