Two civilians, including an internally displaced person (IDP) from Loikaw, were killed due to artillery shelling by the military junta near Phayartaung Lehnwe village in Inle Region, Nyaungshwe Township, southern Shan State, according to a local human rights activist.

“Two people were killed. One was a local resident, and the other was an IDP from Loikaw. Among the injured, one is in critical condition,” the activist from Inle region said.

The shelling was carried out on February 5 from Thitpinkyouk village, west of Pekhon Township, where junta forces and the Pa-O National Army (PNA) were stationed.

The two deceased were identified as U Pyar, a 74-year-old resident of Phayartaung Lehnwe village, and Ko Phoe Wa, a 44-year-old IDP from Loikaw. Besides the dead, seven others were injured, with one in critical condition due to the artillery attack.

The junta also targeted areas outside the village, including an IDP camp, launching around 20 artillery shells within a single day, according to local human rights groups.

A similar attack occurred on January 17, when the junta shelled the same village, killing three civilians and injuring 14 others.