Tragedy struck Yaukchokwin (Budiman) village in Kale Township, Sagaing Region, claiming the life of a 66-year-old retired pastor as an artillery shell struck a residence on March 24.

Situated in the northern reaches of Kale Township, the village rests close to the border with Chin State.The victim, identified as Rev. En Ngaih Langh, formerly served as the Kalay District Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church of Myanmar (UPCM).

Currently, the military situation in the northern regions of Kale Township remains tense, with over 30 civilians having lost their lives in the past month alone as a result of shelling.

Three civilians in Pyinkhongyi, a neighboring village of Yaukchokwin, also fell victim to fatal artillery barrage on March 20.