Residents said that 3 pilgrims were killed and at least 15 were injured in a shooting near the Kyaik Htee Yoe Mountain basecamp bus station in Mon State. The shooting took place on the morning of October 12 near the bus gate in Kimmonchaung Village in Kyaikto Township.

“The shooting happened near the bus gate of the basecamp. Bullets hit the pilgrims and 3 women died. About 15 people were injured, including the police”, a resident said.

Gunfight broke out after unknown gunmen opened fire on the Military Council troops guarding the bus stop on the morning of October 12.

During the crossfire, 3 female pilgrims were killed by the stray bullets and 15 others, including policemen, were injured, according to a witness.

The injured were sent to the public hospital in Kyaikto Township by ambulances of social relief associations. They are still receiving treatment at the hospital.

Locals are saying that there was a gunfight between the Military Council and the local defense forces near the Kyaik Htee Yoe basecamp bus station, but no organization has yet claimed responsibility.

Residents explain that the Thidingyut weekend period is also the opening of Kyaik Htee Yoe Pagoda’s pilgrimage season, hence many pilgrims arriving there.