A Burma army artillery shell struck a drug rehabilitation centre operated by a church group in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, claiming the lives of at least four individuals on the evening of April 5.

A man associated with a civil society group reported that the victims were killed instantly when the shell landed in the compound of Chhan Chhuahna Rûn. Additionally, ten people sustained injuries, with two of them in critical condition.

The army also deployed drones to drop bombs in the area.

The rehabilitation centre, accommodating over 200 residents, has been operational since 2012. The deceased individuals are identified as Sian Thawn Thang, Do Cin Lian, Biak Run Sang, and Pau Sawn Gin.

Earlier that morning, a villager from Nyaung Taw was killed by junta soldiers. According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers rounded up the villager along with 30 others, instructing them to sit down. However, when the victim attempted to flee, the soldiers opened fire, resulting in his death. All detainees were released later that evening.

Clashes with the People's Defense Forces (PDF) increased after the Burma army dispatched a column five days ago to patrol Nyaung Taw, Sel Gyi, and Maw Si villages along the road between Tar Harn and Letpan Chaung in northern Kalay Township. The junta has intensified its attacks, employing artillery shells and drones against the resistance forces.

Villagers from Sel Gyi, Maw Si, Han Tha, and Pyin Khon Gyi have fled, seeking refuge in the jungle or other villages.

“There's no one left in our village,” said a man from Sel Gyi. They are sleeping in a church in Tar Harn Ward and the local youth group is providing them with rice. With no phone service in the area, he said its really hard to get information about the situation.