At least six civilians were killed and more than 20 injured when junta fighter jets repeatedly bombed passenger vehicles trapped by military columns in Sagaing Township on 11 August, according to local sources.

The attack occurred at around 2 pm near the 14-mile junction between Taung Yin and Padu villages along the Sagaing–Shwe Bo inter-district road. 

Witnesses said the road had been blocked, leaving multiple vehicles from Mandalay stranded before they came under assault from five junta aircraft.

“The road was blocked, trapping many vehicles. Then the junta’s fighter jets bombed them. Many people were killed or injured. Some victims were decapitated inside their vehicles, while others were found underneath them,” a local familiar with the incident told Mizzima.

The airstrikes also destroyed four vehicles and set fire to a roadside restaurant and a betel nut shop near the intersection. Members of local resistance forces confirmed that six people were killed and more than 20 others injured.

Relief efforts for the victims have been completed, but residents remain concerned about the presence of junta troops in the area.

On 12 August, a junta column from the Sagaing-based Light Infantry Division 33 was reported advancing toward Sakyin town, while another column near Wetlet and Sagaing townships reached

Ywar Sint Kai (North) village and remained active, according to a commander from a Wetlet-based resistance group.

“There is still a risk that the vehicles in that area could be burned again because they are currently trapped between two junta columns,” the commander said.

Since July, the junta has been carrying out operations to advance toward villages along the Ayeyarwady River near Sagaing and Wetlet, triggering frequent clashes with local resistance forces.