Approximately 20 residents of Natthankwin Village, in Bago Region’s Kyaukkyi Township were killed and about 40 more were injured as a result of fighting between the junta and defence forces.
A resident of Natthankwin Village said: “Most of the residents’ injuries were caused by the military junta's heavy artillery bombardment and mines, even after the fighting ended. A few locals were also injured in a local defence [anti-junta] force attack. We don’t know the exact number of casualties because we do not compile lists, but as far as we have counted there were about 40 injuries and 20 fatalities.”
They added that most of the injured and dead were from Natthankwin Village, where the fighting occurred, though some were also from other nearby villages.
Mizzima has yet to confirm casualty and death numbers.
According to reports, Junta troops frequently fire 40mm, 60mm and 120mm mortar shells in the vicinity of Natthankwin Village. They have also planted landmines along the village entrance roads which pose additional dangers to the villagers.
As a result of the junta’s actions, many villagers have fled from Natthankwin Village and the nearby Kyaukkyi Township villages of Daungmo, Tawkyaungpauk, Ohnpinsu, Okshikone, Yetwinkonegyi and Yetwinkoneywa.
Previously, on 6 June, the Karen National Liberation Army [KNLA] and people’s defence force (PDF) fighters destroyed a bridge over the Sittaung River, close to Natthankwin Village, for strategic reasons.
The junta are currently trying to rebuild the bridge as quickly as they can.
A Natthankwin villager who had fled the fighting said: "Those who are familiar with military matters understand why the bridge was destroyed. However, some people are criticising those who destroyed the bridge because the damage has inconvenienced them.”
