In northern Shan State’s Naung Cho town, a deliberate airstrike by the military council forces on Sein Ratana Monastery has resulted in the deaths of 9 Buddhist monks and 5 civilians, totaling 14 casualties, according to local residents. The attack occurred on March 16 at 5:26 PM when a military aircraft conducted low-flying operations targeting the monastery. The aerial assault included two bombing runs using 4 bombs, followed by two rounds of machine gun fire from the aircraft.
Among the deceased monks were 8 novices and 1 senior monk, along with 5 civilian war refugees, as confirmed by a local resident from Naung Cho. The military council’s airstrike caused extensive fire damage to the Sein Ratana Monastery and surrounding residential buildings. Local sources indicate that this was a targeted attack against war refugees and Buddhist clergy who had taken shelter in the area. The incident has been described as a deliberate assault on civilians and religious figures seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict.
Local residents report that the military council has been repeatedly targeting areas where displaced civilians have sought shelter in the Naung Cho region. They emphasize that attacking religious buildings and Buddhist monks constitutes a war crime. There are also reports of injuries from the attack, with victims facing difficulties accessing medical care. The ongoing airstrikes by military council forces have caused widespread fear among local residents, forcing many to flee to safer locations. The situation continues to deteriorate as civilians struggle to find secure shelter from these military attacks.
