In Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, 3 civilians were killed, and 8 others were injured as Junta artillery shells struck a market in Pammatee ward, situated between the Northern Regional Military Command headquarters, and the Junta’s Nampawng Air Force Base.
Following the May 18 incident, the deceased and injured were transported to Myitkyina People's Hospital, while efforts to clear the debris were underway, a witness from Pammatee informed MNJ.
"We have heard that the injured have been taken to the hospital. We counted at least six explosions. Two artillery shells landed in the river while four hit the market and nearby
houses”, the source said.
Locals residing in the affected areas are currently making plans to evacuate due to the shelling, according to Pammatee residents. According to a local elder, the artillery fire was heard by town residents around 8:00 am on May 18.
There were rumors circulating that artillery rounds had struck the Pammatee market was motivated by the Junta retaliating after a drone bombing attack allegedly carried out by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), however, MNJ was unable to verify this information conclusively.
According to witnesses, a Junta helicopter was also seen hovering above the Ayeyarwady River, firing machine guns at an unspecified target.
Since the coup, there have been frequent drone attacks by KIA and allied forces targeting the Nampawng Air Force Base in Myitkyina.
