The Junta's brutal bombardment has destroyed more than 90 percent of Hsihseng Township in the Pa'O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State, locals said.
The Junta engaged in intense fighting with the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) in Hsihseng, employing heavy artillery and airstrikes to attack this strategic town. According to the PNLA, the Junta troops stationed in Hsaikhkawng pioneer village within Township, had conducted daily shelling of the downtown areas.
"The artillery shelling has become a daily occurrence. Even on Pa-O National Day yesterday, there was no pause in the bombardment. There are hardly any houses and shops left intact in the town. Almost everything has been destroyed”, a Hsihseng resident told IMNA.
The PNLA announced that Junta troops fired at Hsihseng with artillery and drones over 50 times without any obvious reason, even on the 75th anniversary of Pa-O National Day, which fell on March 24.
All six wards of Hsihseng—Hohke, Mingalar, Thiri, Aungthapyay, Aungchanthar, and Myakanthar—have suffered severe damage due to the Junta’s harsh barrages.
During the nearly two-month period of fighting in Hsihseng, Junta troops have launched over 900 rounds of artillery bombardments and conducted over 300 airstrikes, resulting in the destruction of 463 houses, 18 religious buildings, 4 schools, the main market, and a hospital.
The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) stated that shelling and airstrikes were the primary causes behind the destruction of over 90 percent of the town, with 53 civilians losing their lives in these attacks.
