Myanmar junta paramotor crashes near Seikphyu weapons factory, nearby village hit with retaliatory air strike

Myanmar junta paramotor crashes near Seikphyu weapons factory, nearby village hit with retaliatory air strike

A military junta paramotor crashed under mysterious circumstances near Defense Equipment Factory 22 (Ka Pa Sa 22) in Seikphyu Township on 26 January 2026, followed shortly by a retaliatory aerial assault on a neighbouring village.

Earlier on the morning of 26 January, a paramotor that took off from Defence Equipment Factory 22 grounds at approximately 8:00 am, hovered abnormally for 15 minutes due to an apparent engine stall, and descended sharply into either the factory compound or the adjacent Mong Tai Chaung village, according to Ko Thu Rein, information officer of the Northern Seikphyu People’s Defence Force.

“It was definitely not a normal landing,” he said, noting that the group has not been able to confirm whether the paramotor crashed or sustained damage because the area is close to Factory and inaccessible for inspection.

Ko Thu Rein said Mong Tai Chaung village hosts a Myanmar junta water supply base, adding that it remains unconfirmed whether the paramotor landed within the Defence Equipment Factory 22 compound or in Mong Tai Chaung village.

According to an official from the Black Hawk Seik Phyu group, the aircraft dropped a 120mm mortar round and fired approximately 20 rounds from a light machine gun.

“They dropped a 120mm bomb near Kan Twin Kyaung using a paramotor and fired around 20 rounds from a light machine gun,” he said.

While no casualties were reported from this specific strike, the incident has heightened fears among residents in northern Seikphyu, where the military has reportedly stationed three paramotors over the last month to conduct low-altitude bombings.

According to local revolutionary groups, the junta delivered three paramotors to the factory about a month ago. Since their arrival, the junta has reportedly used the paramotors repeatedly to drop 120mm bombs and fire machine guns.

In response, revolutionary forces said they have warned residents in Seikphyu Township to remain especially cautious due to the danger of air attacks.

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