A bomb exploded at the Ministry of Immigration and Population office in Sagaing City, Sagaing Region, seriously injuring 20 staff members and civilians, according to locals and relief groups.
The explosion occurred around 10:15 a.m. on June 5 at the entrance of the immigration office in Parami Ward, where applications for Unique Identification (UID) cards and National Identification Cards (NICs) are processed and verified.
At least 4 of the injured were in critical condition and were being urgently transferred from Sagaing Hospital to Mandalay General Hospital, a local relief worker reported.
The explosion is believed to have been triggered by a time bomb, with 12 women and 8 men among the injured.
Pro-junta Telegram channels claimed the blast was caused by a drone-dropped bomb, but a local rescue worker rejected the allegation.
“The explosion occurred near the entrance to the office’s forms processing and verification building. It was not caused by a drone strike. Shortly after the blast, military vehicles from Light Infantry Division 33 (LID 33) arrived at the scene. Troops cordoned off the entire ward and carried out strict searches, making it difficult even to transport patients to the hospital,” he told NMG.
The junta controls around 70 percent of Sagaing Region, and junta forces along with allied Pyusawhti members are stationed in government offices in Sagaing City, where security measures are extremely strict.
“Recently, many people have been visiting the immigration office to apply for household registration and UID cards. The office is heavily guarded by soldiers and Pyusawhti members, with strict security checks in place. In theory, it would not be easy to bring in and plant a bomb from outside. While the junta is trying to project an image of full control over Sagaing City, this incident suggests that even internal security remains vulnerable,” a local elder from the city said.
The immigration office in Sagaing City has previously been targeted in attacks following the coup. In 2022, an improvised explosive device was thrown into the office, causing an explosion that injured 2 people, including a child. In 2023, a gunfight broke out at the same office between resistance forces attempting to arrest staff loyal to the junta and junta troops, resulting in the deaths of 2 resistance members and 3 civilian employees.
There has been no statement from local resistance forces regarding the recent blast.
The explosion occurred amid tight security at government offices in Sagaing City, where LID 33 directly oversees urban security.
